Report: ‘Top’ player Newcastle bid £70m for has now decided to run down his contract
In the high-stakes game of football transfers, the decisions made today can have dramatic consequences tomorrow.
Few stories illustrate this better than the ongoing saga of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, a player who has found himself at the center of a remarkable financial standoff that is set to cost his club millions.
Just over a year ago, Newcastle United identified Guehi as their primary defensive target and were prepared to make him their record signing, tabling a massive £70 million offer. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, however, stood firm, deeming the England international simply too valuable to sell.
That decision, which seemed like a show of strength at the time, has since evolved into a precarious situation for the South London club.
Fast forward to the most recent transfer window, and Guehi was once again the subject of intense interest, this time from Liverpool. The reported fee on the table had plummeted to around £35 million half of what Newcastle had offered just twelve months prior.
Once again, Palace held their ground, but they are now facing the ultimate penalty for their resilience. According to reports, Guehi has decided to run down his contract, which expires in the summer of 2026, meaning he will be able to leave as a free agent and Crystal Palace will receive no transfer fee at all.
From a financial perspective, it is a devastating outcome. The £70 million that was once available could have provided significant funds for reinvestment, offering the club a chance to strengthen multiple areas of the squad.
Instead, that opportunity has vanished. Of course, there is an important caveat for Palace supporters: during this period, they enjoyed a glorious day at Wembley, with Guehi playing a key role in the club’s memorable FA Cup triumph.
For many fans, that moment of glory and the pride of keeping their star player might feel worth more than any transfer fee.
The situation also offers a fascinating contrast in how players handle transfer speculation. While Newcastle’s former striker Alexander Isak eventually forced a move to Liverpool in a deal that involved going on strike, Guehi has taken a completely different approach.
He has continued to perform professionally for his club, all while patiently waiting for his next opportunity. His patience is now likely to be rewarded with the freedom to choose his next destination on his own terms, with a lucrative signing bonus almost certain as a reward for his free agency.
His quality is undeniable, a fact acknowledged even by his competitors. Newcastle’s Dan Burn, who would have been Guehi’s teammate had the move materialized, now finds himself competing with him for a spot in the England national team.
Speaking ahead of a World Cup qualifier, Burn was full of praise for his defensive rival, calling him a “top player” and admitting that Guehi is probably his “direct competition” for a starting role under manager Thomas Tuchel. This respect from a peer underscores just how highly regarded Guehi is within the game.
For Newcastle, the story is one of a missed opportunity that led them in a different direction. Unable to secure Guehi, they eventually broke their transfer record this summer to sign German forward Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.
The entire episode serves as a compelling case study in the risks and rewards of the transfer market. Clubs must constantly weigh the short-term benefit of retaining a key player against the long-term risk of losing them for nothing.
For Marc Guehi, his calm and professional approach is about to grant him the ultimate freedom, while for Crystal Palace, a once-unthinkable financial outcome has now become a reality.