Crystal Palace Seeks Replacement for Guehi Amid Transfer Uncertainty

In a recent report from The i Paper, Crystal Palace is reportedly exploring the transfer market for a suitable replacement for Marc Guehi, who departed for Manchester City in a deal exceeding £20 million (€23m/27m) last week. With the transfer window closing on Monday, February 2, Palace’s management is considering several short-term options to address Guehi’s absence.

The club’s executives prefer to utilize the funds generated from Guehi’s sale during the summer transfer window, leading them to lean towards acquiring a stop-gap player this month. Thus far in January, Palace has made one notable signing: Wales international Brennan Johnson, who joined for a record fee of £35 million from Tottenham Hotspur.

Additionally, The iPaper reports that Palace is keen to enhance their attacking options before the January window closes, particularly in light of uncertainty surrounding star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta is believed to have submitted a formal transfer request, expressing concerns about the club’s ambition. The 28-year-old forward, whose contract extends until the summer of 2027, feels that his current wages of £55,000 per week do not reflect his standing as one of the team’s top players, having netted 48 goals in 149 appearances.

Crystal Palace’s top attacking target remains highly-rated Angers striker Sidiki Cherif, although negotiations between the two clubs are reportedly in the preliminary stages. At just 19 years old, Cherif is also attracting interest from Championship side Wrexham, whose owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are considering a club-record £19 million offer.

Manager Oliver Glasner has indicated that Mateta will be permitted to leave should the club receive an acceptable offer. “It’s the same as with Guehi,” Glasner explained. “There will be a price that Crystal Palace accepts, with 18 months left on his contract. We would proceed with the deal if Mateta desires it. If nobody meets that price, he will stay.”

The news regarding Mateta’s desire to leave follows Glasner’s announcement about his own departure at the end of the season when his contract expires. The former Eintracht Frankfurt manager shared, “A decision had already been made months ago. I informed Steve (Parish, Palace’s owner) during a meeting in October that I would not sign a new contract. We agreed to keep it confidential until now.”

Following a disappointing defeat to Sunderland last Saturday, Glasner stated that he and the team feel “abandoned” by the board this season. As speculation mounts around Palace’s transfer strategies, the club aims to end a troubling 10-game winless streak in all competitions when they face Chelsea in the Premier League this Sunday. Currently, Palace sits in 13th place in the league table, 11 points clear of the relegation zone, having experienced a shocking FA Cup exit to sixth-tier Macclesfield on January 10.