English-Ivorian defender Marc Guehi must stay at Crystal Palace, insists Oliver Glasner

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has ruled out the prospect of losing captain Marc Guehi before the transfer deadline, insisting the defender “has to” remain at Selhurst Park.

Guehi, who was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, before moving to England as a child, has attracted interest from Liverpool following reports of talks earlier this month.

The 25-year-old, whose contract expires next summer, has so far declined to extend his stay. Despite the uncertainty, he has featured in every minute of Palace’s Premier League and Conference League qualifying matches this season.

Glasner stressed that the England international is too important to let go. “From my side, now it is Friday and the window closes on Monday, he has to (stay),” the Austrian coach said.

“He has to, because it is not possible at the moment to find a Marc Guehi replacement, who can play straight (away) in the Premier League, being a starter for Crystal Palace, being consistent.”

The Palace boss highlighted Guehi’s role at the heart of a solid defence. “When we see our foundation of the success we’ve had in the last couple of months, and also the foundation of going into the group stage (Conference League), is our defence.

“We had two clean sheets against Fredrikstad, we’ve had five games played with three clean sheets, we’ve conceded just one goal in the Premier League, so this is our foundation.”

Glasner added that Guehi’s attitude has remained professional throughout a summer of speculation.

“He’s focused and again, if Marc had said at one moment ‘I want to leave Crystal Palace’, the deal would have happened already weeks ago because of his situation,” he said.

Palace resisted multiple bids from Newcastle United last summer, the highest worth up to £65 million. Chairman Steve Parish has admitted the club may eventually have to sell, rather than risk losing him on a free.

Guehi, a Chelsea academy graduate, joined Palace in 2021 for £18m and has since made 160 appearances, captaining the club to their first major trophy — the FA Cup — in May.