Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that club captain Marc Guéhi will depart Selhurst Park when his contract expires next summer.
“Guéhi has told us that he will not renew…,” Glasner stated during Friday’s press conference, AS reports.
“Not just me, but the entire club wanted Marc to sign a new contract, and we offered it to him, but he wants something different.”
The admission ends months of speculation surrounding the England international’s future.
Guéhi, 25, is now set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2025–26 season, positioning him as one of the most coveted defensive targets of next summer’s market.
Guéhi’s proposed departure marks the end of an era for Crystal Palace.
Since arriving from Chelsea in 2021, the centre-back has become both captain and cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense, guiding them to historic silverware — the club’s first-ever FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.
His leadership, composure, and consistency have earned him full England honours and a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders.
The confirmation has reignited interest from football’s powerhouses.
According to reports, Liverpool and Real Madrid are leading the chase, but Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan have all joined the pursuit.
With Guéhi available on a free transfer, competition for his signature is expected to be fierce.
Liverpool, who came close to signing the defender last summer for €40 million before club owner Steve Parish pulled the plug, remain strong contenders.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, view Guéhi as a potential successor in defense — or as “Plan B” should Liverpool successfully extend Ibrahima Konaté’s deal.
While Guéhi remains focused on finishing the season strong with Palace, his next chapter seems destined for one of Europe’s elite clubs.
For the South London faithful, it’s a bittersweet farewell — watching their captain lead them one last time before taking his talents to the continental stage.
One thing is certain: Marc Guéhi’s decision not to renew has set up one of the most intriguing transfer battles of 2026 as teams will battles for his signature for free
“He wants something different,” Glasner reflected.
That “different” could soon mean a move to Anfield, the Bernabéu, or beyond as the case may be.