---
title: "Exclusive: Palmer adamant Southampton had no chance of signing Marc Guehi"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-palmer-adamant-southampton-had-no-chance-of-signing-marc-guehi-transfers-rumour-crystal-palace-chelsea-e179/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-21T05:30:19Z"
modified: "2021-07-21T05:30:19Z"
---

# Exclusive: Palmer adamant Southampton had no chance of signing Marc Guehi

**Southampton had no chance of signing new Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, the club’s former midfielder Carlton Palmer has told [The Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/).**

Guehi recently joined Palace in an [£18m](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/18/crystal-palace-marc-guehi-chelsea) deal from Chelsea following a couple of successful loan stints with Swansea City in the Championship.

However, according to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/2708591/2021/07/15/transfer-tracker-marc-guehi-nearing-permanent-move-to-palace-from-chelsea/), Southampton were one of many suitors who were keen on the 21-year-old as they look to strengthen their backline this summer.

\[freshpress-poll id=”366760″\]

At £18m, though, Palmer feels his old side were never really in the running to sign Guehi. When asked by **TT** if St. Mary’s was a realistic destination, the former Saints star said:

*“Not a chance, not really. When your budget is £10m, you’re not in the hunt, are you? It’s a difficult one, but when you’re a manager, you know what your budget is, you know what your capabilities are.*

*“The manager has to be creative with loan players, get good young players in and give them the opportunity.”*

Guehi looks like he could have been a good addition to Southampton. Last season, the England U21 international won [3.3](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/374631/Show/Marc-Gu%C3%A9hi) aerial duels per league game (via WhoScored), more than any player in the Saints’ squad bar Jannik Vestergaard ([also 3.3](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/18/Show/England-Southampton)).

However, with Ralph Hasenhuttl stating that the south coast club are indeed looking at players who will cost [£10m or less](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19224893.hasenhuttl-look-sign-players-10million-less/), a deal always seemed unlikely.