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Gary Lineker has advised Marc Guehi to remain at Crystal Palace until the end of the season and leave on a lucrative free transfer following his failed move to Liverpool.
The Premier League champions finalized the British record-breaking $168M signing of Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day. They then moved to make Palace captain Guehi their ninth summer signing after weeks of transfer speculation.
Liverpool and Palace, who met in last month's Community Shield, reached a $47M agreement for the 25-year-old defender. Yet, despite the Reds submitting a deal sheet in an effort to seal the transfer, the move fell through in the final hours of transfer deadline day as the Eagles failed to secure a replacement in time.
England international Guehi, whose contract runs out next summer, now faces the option of signing a new deal, leaving in January for a reduced fee or holding out until the season’s end before leaving Palace as a free agent.
Former Match of the Day host Lineker believes the central defender should choose the latter option, which represents the smarter financial move for Guehi as free agents often get paid better salaries and signing-on bonuses.
Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast: “I did feel a bit for Marc Guehi because he’d seemingly behaved admirably and didn’t get his move. I also categorically expect him to pitch up next week, very stoically, and will probably remain captain.
“If I were him now, I wouldn’t try to get the move in January, I would now wait until the end of my contract which is next summer and go on a free. Because they’ve used him a little bit, there’s no question about that.
“To take it that far, on the brink of a transfer and then be pulled back was tough on him. But he’ll get a better deal for himself next summer, certainly financially. Who knows whether Liverpool will still be in for him, somebody will because he’s a class act."
Guehi has his sights set on the World Cup next summer too, and staying at Palace for the time being means he will at least be guaranteed game time. Lineker continued: "He's still just coming into his prime so he'll be in great shape next year."
Podcast co-host Alan Shearer then added: “I do feel for Guehi because he did things as professionally as he could. On the other hand you’re right, financially he should benefit hugely from it.”
There is a feeling that Guehi conducted himself with grace all summer as he did not attempt to force through a move, while other big names have gone on strike to do so.
The Guardian reports the defender has been left frustrated by Palace's late decision to block his move to Anfield, having undergone a medical in London to become a Liverpool player on Monday.
It's also reported that Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner threatened to quit if Guehi's transfer to Liverpool went ahead. That was after the Eagles failed to secure Brighton defender Igor Julio, seen as a potential Guehi replacement, who instead made a last-minute switch to West Ham on a season-long loan.
Guehi, who led Palace to FA Cup glory last season and netted an impressive first goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend, is reported by The Times to be planning to leave Palace as a free agent next summer and will not sign an extension to remain at Selhurst Park.
That would leave Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool's first-choice centre-backs until at least January, with Joe Gomez providing cover for the duo. Giovanni Leoni could also get game time, following the 18-year-old's summer arrival from Parma for around $35M.
Meanwhile, Guehi could return to action for Palace as early as next Saturday when they welcome Sunderland in the Premier League.
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