The summer transfer window again saw some incredible spending as clubs looked to consolidate their Premier League futures, and not least their Premier League opportunities for success and fans of every colour up and down the country can state who surprised them more – Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal finally buying a striker…
Newbies coming into clubs as we head into the month of October have all seen varying levels of success depending on how quickly they have settled, but amongst the many sagas that we saw involving the likes of Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa, and then other transfers that were dragged out for varying reasons that may not have involved the word ‘perceived entitlement’, the future of England international centre half Marc Guehi was a silver lining amongst a lot of disgust for neutrals.
The 25 capped England international is within his final 12 months of contract at Selhurst Park and whilst manager Oliver Glasner did not want to sell and made that abundantly clear to their board, the Crystal Palace board also knew they could not let a potentially £70 million talent leave on a free at the end of his contract given Liverpool wanted to deal. For a neutral playing with a blackjack online live dealer, it was a rock and a hard place that no one wants, but Guehi saw his own stock rise based on his maturity. Either way, he has won and he has won by making friends in the process.
Unlike others who did not have the ‘right mindset’ to play for their employers and honour their freely signed contracts, Guehi did, helping his side to victory and points even though he did not know what his own future held. Talks broke down, Guehi stayed with the Eagles as they could not get cover over the line, and he has been professional throughout.
So, as we move towards the January window, there is varying talk that Liverpool and Arne Slot will be back for him. Some say he will be available for as little as £25 million, others say Palace will play hardball and hold out for £50 million knowing the player is happy to see his contract out, perform, and will not throw his toys into a pram.
Others are suggesting that Chelsea and Enzo Maresca, who is already unhappy that the Stamford Bridge outfit did not spend more (sidelining more players in the process) by replacing the injured Levi Colwill, will also come in for him – which would play to Palace’s negotiating strength here if a mini transfer war was to take place.
It was known Liverpool wanted him anyway, and their need has improved given the ACL injury sustained by young and highly rated talent Giovanni Leoni as their back up are now midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo should their regular back four be missing. Chelsea have more defensive issues of their own, but would Guehi move across London knowing he had a pathway in Liverpool?
When fit, Chelsea have options, would he take the risk that he would quickly become the latest member of an expensive bombsquad if he failed to hit the ground running? Others have performed and still been frozen out.
But that loops us back to would Palace want to sell halfway through a year, and at that point would the player want the disruption himself?
The story will run and run.
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