Man City confirmed Guehi’s arrival yesterday
Supporters of FA Cup champions Crystal Palace are likely to still be in a state of shock, after learning they will see both the most successful manager in the club’s recent history, and club captain Marc Guehi, depart within the space of a few months.
In an explosive interview on Saturday, Oliver Glasner expressed his feeling that he had been “abandoned” by club ownership, over the decision to sell Guehi 24-hours before a fixture, a day after he revealed his own choice to reject new contract proposals at the club.
Glasner said: “We feel like we’re being abandoned completely. Selling our captain one day before a game – there is no understanding for this.
“If your heart gets ripped out twice a year, with [Eberechi] Eze one day before a game in the summer and your captain one day before a game – I’ve just got no understanding.”
Earlier, speaking on his own future, Glasner said: “A decision has already been taken, months ago. I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October, the international break.
“We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract,” he added.
Almost as shocking as the impact of Guehi’s departure on Palace fans, has been the surprise at the bargain price Man City reportedly paid for Guehi, said to be just £20 million.
Considering the fee — some £15 million cheaper than Liverpool are said to have agreed with the Eagles for Guehi before the plug was pulled on a deal last summer — many have questioned why the likes of Arsenal, and the Reds did not rival the Citizens for his signature.
The reason why other interested clubs did not make a serious attempt to sign Guehi this January, has been revealed in a ground-breaking new report from The Athletic reporter James Pearce.
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Pearce reports that the widely reported price of £20 million is in fact “disingenuous,” adding that the actual cost was far higher, when Guehi’s wages are considered.
Per The Athletic, sources familiar with the deal revealed that Guehi’s wage demands were £300,000 per week over the course of his 5.5 year contract at the Etihad, totalling another £85.8 million.
Although Man City are reported to have claimed Guehi’s wages are significantly lower, it is clear that the Manchester outfit paid much more than the initial £20 million to secure his signature.
It remains to be seen if this show of financial restraint, after a record-breaking summer of spending, is something the Reds come to regret, especially considering their current defensive frailties.
As a result, Liverpool simply did not see the transfer as an attractive market opportunity, when Guehi would have been available to sign without a transfer fee in the summer.
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