Marc Guehi’s future has taken another surprising twist, and it’s one that could open old wounds for Newcastle United.
Just over a year ago, the Magpies came close to signing the England international in a deal worth £65 million, only for negotiations with Crystal Palace to collapse late in the transfer window.
Newcastle made multiple bids and were confident of securing the defender, but Palace chairman Steve Parish stood firm, refusing to let his captain leave despite having less than two years left on his contract.
At the time, the decision raised eyebrows within Selhurst Park, with many questioning why the club would reject such a lucrative offer. Yet the choice proved justified when Guehi led Palace to their first major trophy lifting the FA Cup as captain and writing his name into the club’s history books.
Since then, Guehi’s performances have continued to attract attention across Europe, and his name was once again central to the headlines during the recent summer window.
Liverpool emerged as strong contenders for his signature and reportedly agreed a £35 million deal to bring the 25-year-old to Anfield. Everything seemed set for the move to go through until Palace abruptly pulled the plug in the final stages.
Reports claimed the club’s hierarchy could not secure a suitable replacement, while whispers circulated that manager Oliver Glasner even threatened to resign if the defender was sold.
Although Glasner later dismissed those rumours, it was clear that Palace had made a bold decision once again choosing stability over a quick financial gain.
However, this time, that stance could come at a major cost. Guehi is now in the final year of his contract, and Palace’s latest attempts to convince him to stay have failed.
Speaking candidly after their latest match, Glasner confirmed what fans had feared. “Marc has already told us that he doesn’t want to sign a new contract, so he will leave next year,” the manager admitted.
“The club wanted him to stay, they offered him a new deal, but he said he wants to try something different. That’s normal in football, and now it’s about how we deal with the situation together.”
It’s a bitter pill for Palace supporters, who have seen Guehi grow into one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders and an emblem of the club’s progress.
His leadership, calm presence, and ability to read the game were crucial to their FA Cup triumph and recent stability. Losing him for free next summer, after rejecting such substantial offers, will sting especially in a football world governed by Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Only a year ago, Palace valued him at £70 million, but that figure now counts for nothing as he prepares to walk away without a transfer fee.
Liverpool are expected to revisit their interest, having already agreed personal terms with the player last summer before the deal collapsed. For Jurgen Klopp’s side, who continue to rebuild their defensive core, Guehi could represent a smart acquisition on a free transfer.
Newcastle, too, will likely keep a close eye on developments. Eddie Howe has long admired the defender’s composure and technical ability, and Newcastle’s previous pursuit showed how highly they rate him. Still, with the Magpies bringing in Malick Thiaw over the summer, their priorities may have shifted.
Elsewhere, European giants are also monitoring the situation closely. Real Madrid have reportedly entered the conversation, with the Spanish club known for taking advantage of high-profile free transfers in recent seasons.
Their signings of Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold have set a precedent, and Guehi’s age and pedigree make him an appealing option as they continue to plan for the future.
For Palace, this marks the end of an era. Guehi’s departure will not only leave a defensive gap but also strip the dressing room of a leader who has been central to their identity.
For Guehi, it represents the next chapter in a career that continues to rise, and one that could soon take him to one of Europe’s elite clubs. What remains clear is that Newcastle once saw in him what the rest of Europe is seeing now a player destined for the very top.
