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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Crystal Palace bullied Marc Guehi after he was denied a deadline day transfer to Liverpool.
Liverpool had agreed to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and Palace defender Guehi on deadline day, but only one of the moves transpired. Isak joined Liverpool for $167 million, a Premier League record, and Guehi was on the verge of completing a $47 million move.
Palace hunted for a suitable replacement after the fee was agreed upon, but failed to land targets as the window slammed shut. Guehi was therefore forced to stay at the club, and Ferdinand has accused Palace of bullying him.
It's been one of the most dramatic transfer windows in recent history. A record $4.15 billion was spent across the Premier League, with several players going to extreme lengths to force through summer moves.
Isak trained in isolation, wrote a statement on social media clarifying his preference to leave Newcastle, and was finally allowed to join Liverpool. Newcastle replaced him with Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, who also used several tactics to ensure he left the club.
Guehi, on the other hand, has remained professional throughout and continued to play for Palace. According to Ferdinand, his politeness may be one reason he was denied the chance to join Liverpool.
On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand sympathized with Guehi and suggested that Palace may have taken advantage of his respectable stance to ensure he stayed at the club. "Marc Guehi, a wonderful young, polite, respectable human being," Ferdinand said.
"I’m not saying Isak isn’t because he is, I heard he is. I’m not saying that, I’m just talking and telling you what I know because I know Marc Guehi.
"Beautiful young human being, dances and tip-toes around it, does things the right way, does things the way the media says it should be done, he’s quiet, unassuming, non-confrontational, the fans love this, this is what they respect, this is what they like.
"Transfer deadline day, he don’t even get a move, he’s stuck, he’s at Crystal Palace, they said ‘no, you’re not going’ because they knew he wasn’t going to fight, he’s not that way.
"So the club bully him, so the club say no, you’re not going anywhere, so we’re going to take that move out of your hands, the dream move to the Champions who could potentially win three or four trophies this year."
Guehi's contract expires at the end of the season, meaning that he will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs in January. Should Guehu receive interest from abroad, he could sign a pre-contract agreement.
However, if Guehi has his heart set on Liverpool, then the Premier League champions could sign him on a free contract next summer. Palace may have missed the chance to receive a respectable fee for Guehi, but his presence could be valuable as the club embarks on its first European adventure.
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