Steve Parish, the Chairman of Crystal Palace, indicated he may need to consider the sale of Captain Mark Guéhi during this summer transfer window.
The team recently celebrated a victory over Liverpool, winning the Community Shield through a penalty shootout at Wembley on Sunday.
Following their FA Cup triumph in May, this marks Palace’s second trophy in just 86 days amid ongoing legal challenges. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to determine whether the club will participate in the Europa League or the Conference League this season.
Guéhi’s contract is set to expire at the season’s end, and Liverpool is reported to be the leading candidate to sign the 25-year-old England international.
Responding to inquiries about Guéhi’s potential departure in the next three weeks, Parish, who is also a co-owner, stated, “Yes, of course, we have to consider it seriously.”
“It is indeed a concern for players of this caliber to leave on a free transfer. There’s no question about that,” he acknowledged.
“We received one offer last summer, but we let Joachim Andersen move to Fulham. Losing both players was not an option for us. We faced another tough bid in January as well,” he explained.
“We need to see how things unfold, but we require either a new contract for Guéhi or some resolution.”
Guéhi faced difficulties and was substituted late in the second half of extra time during the match at Wembley.
He was replaced by 21-year-old Northern Ireland international Justin Debnigny, who ultimately scored the decisive penalty in the 3-2 shootout after regular time ended in a draw.
Manager Oliver Glasner will need to strengthen the squad further, especially with the possibility of losing key players like Guéhi and Eberechi Eze, who has been linked to Arsenal.
“At the end of the day, clubs are trading players, and that’s the reality of the football industry,” Parish stated. “If you aren’t willing to refresh your squad, it could become problematic in the future.”
“We’re a strong side, and while bringing in four more players could change our fortunes, it’s not as simple as it sounds,” he added.
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Parish highlighted the “absurd” and “unreasonable” transfer fees for players this year, reflecting on the club’s position.
“We need to assess the situation,” he mentioned. “We’re committed to doing everything we can; we don’t back down from our responsibilities.”
“Ultimately, the decisions made will depend on what is best for the club, and adjustments will be necessary if circumstances demand it,” he concluded.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer fans, as the potential departure of a key player like Guéhi could significantly impact Crystal Palace’s season ambitions. The ongoing transfer talks highlight the unpredictable nature of the sport, where even successful clubs must navigate complex decisions to maintain competitiveness.
