Crystal Palace fans have witnessed a whirlwind start to the 2025-2026 season, not just on the pitch but off it as well. As the Premier League campaign gets underway, the South London club finds itself at the heart of transfer drama, managerial intrigue, and ambitious plans for the future. With Marc Guehi’s collapsed transfer, Adam Wharton’s rising stock, and Oliver Glasner’s uncertain future, Selhurst Park has become a focal point for some of the most compelling storylines in English football.
Few stories captured the imagination on transfer deadline day quite like the saga of Marc Guehi. On September 5, 2025, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish held face-to-face talks with Guehi and his family after abruptly cancelling the defender’s £35 million move to Liverpool. The deal had advanced so far that Guehi had reportedly completed part of his medical, and a farewell video had even been prepared. But at 4pm—just hours before the 7pm deadline—the transfer was dramatically pulled, leaving Guehi "furious" and considering stepping down as club captain, according to The Mirror.
Liverpool, desperate to push the transfer through, submitted a deal sheet in a last-ditch effort. Palace, however, stood their ground. The decisive figure in this high-stakes standoff was manager Oliver Glasner, who, as reported by The Mirror, threatened to walk away if his star defender was sold. Glasner’s stance was unequivocal: "We need to keep Marc if we want to play a successful season." He elaborated, "There’s no replacement in the building, it’s clear one part of the agreement is not fulfilled. That means we can’t sell Marc." His insistence underscored Guehi’s importance to Palace’s defensive structure and their ambitions beyond mere Premier League survival.
Although Palace did secure the signing of 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse on deadline day, the young Frenchman was not viewed as an immediate successor to Guehi. With less than a year remaining on his contract, Guehi’s future remains a ticking clock for Palace, who must weigh the risk of losing him for free against the need for short-term stability at the back. Liverpool, undeterred by the collapse, are expected to reignite their pursuit in January or next summer, when the England international could be available on a free transfer.
The fallout from the failed transfer has left the club and its supporters in a state of mixed emotion. Relief that Guehi remains is tempered by sympathy for a player entering his prime who may have missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for titles and Champions League glory at Anfield. The situation also raises questions about Palace’s transfer strategy and succession planning, with fans and pundits alike wondering why a replacement plan wasn’t implemented earlier in the window—as Glasner himself acknowledged. Dressing room harmony could also be at risk, with the captain’s frustration potentially spilling over into team dynamics.
Guehi’s saga is just one thread in a broader tapestry of uncertainty at Selhurst Park. Manager Oliver Glasner, who led Palace to their first-ever major trophy and European qualification, is himself the subject of mounting speculation. On September 6, 2025, reports surfaced that Palace fear losing Glasner to a Premier League rival, with clubs both domestically and across Europe monitoring his situation closely. The 51-year-old is in the final year of his contract, and as senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider, "Things have gotten a bit tense behind the scenes, there’s no getting away from that. He’s in the final year of his contract, so he holds the power in terms of his long-term future."
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown went so far as to declare Glasner "highly likely" to leave at the end of the season, citing disagreements with chairman Steve Parish over transfer policy. Despite a summer that saw five new arrivals, Glasner’s frustration with the club’s direction and ambition has become increasingly evident. Notably, Manchester United are reportedly interested in Glasner as a possible replacement for Ruben Amorim, whose own position is under growing scrutiny.
The Guehi transfer drama only heightened these tensions, with Palace’s decision to keep their captain coming after months of planning for a potential sale. Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande was identified as a top target to replace Guehi, but Palace ultimately prioritized financial security and squad stability over immediate profit. As O’Rourke explained, "So for Palace, it might not only be a case of worrying about losing their best players, they might be set to lose their manager at some point in the future too. Glasner is in control of his own destiny now with his contract running down."
While the off-field drama unfolds, Palace’s on-field fortunes have provided a welcome respite. As of September 6, 2025, the Eagles are unbeaten in their first three Premier League fixtures, having drawn with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest before a resounding 3-0 victory away to Aston Villa. With the added challenge of Europa Conference League football this season, squad depth and player rotation have become even more critical for Glasner’s men.
One player who has risen to the occasion is Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old English midfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, making 27 appearances and providing two assists. His defensive contributions—34 tackles, 11 blocks, 20 interceptions, and 27 clearances—have not gone unnoticed, nor has his tidy passing, with a completion rate of 79% in league play. Wharton’s form has attracted interest from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, as reported on September 4, 2025. With a contract at Selhurst Park until 2029, Palace are in a strong position, but the January window may see renewed efforts to prize him away, especially from United, who view him as a potential anchor in Ruben Amorim’s midfield.
Looking ahead, Palace are already being urged to plan for life after Guehi. The club has a reputation for astute recruitment from the Championship, having previously signed Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton himself. Now, Hull City’s 21-year-old defender Charlie Hughes is being touted as a prime target for next summer. Hughes, an England youth international contracted until June 2028, won Hull’s Young Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards last term. Hull reportedly turned down three bids from Coventry City in the summer and value him at around £20 million. As his manager Sergej Jakirovic put it, "He can develop even more. He can improve more and then maybe he will be our best transfer in the history of this club."
With Marc Guehi’s contract expiring in 2026 and most signs pointing toward his eventual departure, Hughes could represent the next step in Palace’s defensive evolution. The club will need to monitor developments closely, especially as the January window approaches and the stakes rise for both player and club.
As the international break draws to a close, Crystal Palace face a season of immense promise and uncertainty. The next few months will be pivotal—not just for the future of Guehi and Glasner, but for the club’s long-term ambitions in English and European football. One thing’s for sure: all eyes will remain fixed on Selhurst Park as the drama continues to unfold.
