Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has revealed that the club will sell captain Marc Guehi this summer, to avoid the risk of losing him without a transfer fee at the end of the season.
The England international is yet to agree an extension with the Eagles, with his current contract set to expire next summer.
Guehi, 25, joined the club in 2021 and could be set for an exit after four years with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool showing interest in his services.
Palace had hoped the England defender would sign a new contract after rejecting a £65 million bid from Newcastle United in January, but Parish has hinted at a potential sale this summer to prevent a free transfer.
“We’d have to do that, of course”, the club chairman 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.”
Crystal Palace value the defender at £40 million although it is unclear which of the top Premier League sides will swoop for him.
The Eagles substituted the former Chelsea youth player in the second half of their penalty shootout win over Liverpool in the FA Community Shield on Sunday.
Hugo Ekitike opened scoring for the Reds before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalized for Palace from the spot.
Jeremie Frimpong’s mishit cross put Liverpool ahead for a second time in the match, before Ismaila Sarr equalized for the Eagles late in the game as the match headed into penalty shootout.
Justin Devenny scored the winning spot-kick after several missed attempts from both sides as Crystal Palace produced another stunning display at Wembley months after their FA Cup triumph to secure a first-ever Community Shield trophy.
“We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January but that was a different situation.”, he continued.
“We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
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