1 day ago
6
Liverpool transfer target Marc Guehi is set to start for Crystal Palace on Thursday in its UEFA Conference League qualifier against the Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad, manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed.
Guehi and Tottenham target Eberechi Eze are in line to feature in the game, where Crystal Palace will hope to establish a lead in the tie ahead of the return leg next week. The South London side was demoted to the third-tier European competition by UEFA recently after it was deemed to have breached multi-club ownership rules.
"Most of you will be surprised that [Guehi and Eze] will start again tomorrow because of all the rumors," Glasner said. "But they are committed here and they will play a crucial part."
At the weekend, after Guehi's intrusion into the Chelsea wall saw an Eze free-kick chalked off after a VAR check, the Palace center-back was filmed appearing to ignore the shout of his manager to come over for a chat.
Glasner seemed confused at the time and asked striker Jean-Philippe Mateta why Guehi was upset, but he has now explained the situation in full.
"I've seen so much nonsense written about this," Glasner said. "Marc was upset that he didn’t win the game, and I loved this. It's the best sign that he could show of how ambitious we are."
Guehi has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park. He has previously had interest in his signature from the likes of Spurs and Newcastle.
However, Crystal Palace CEO Steve Parish said after his side beat Liverpool in the Community Shield that Guehi would either have to be sold or sign a contract extension.
"We'd have to do that, of course," Parish said. "For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it's a problem for us, unfortunately.
"Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn't afford to lose both. We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January but that was a different situation.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"We'll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind."
Liverpool has already signed the Italian teenager Giovanni Leoni, who plays at center-back, this summer. That deal was confirmed last week for a fee of around $35 million (£26 million).
However, there is a question mark over Ibrahima Konate's long-term future. The Frenchman, like Guehi, is only currently under contract until the summer of 2026.
Liverpool.com says: Guehi is a good player, but overpaying would not be wise. Given Parish has given the game away about his intentions when it comes to keeping the 25-year-old, Liverpool should eventually be able to do a decent deal.
English (US) ·