Marc Guehi cheekily responds to transfer talk as Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish confirms plans for Liverpool target

Arne Slot is pushing hard to bring in the centre-back before the transfer deadline. Talks between the clubs are expected to continue into next week, with Palace aware they may have to cash in sooner rather than later.

While celebrating a historic 1-0 Conference League play-off victory over Fredrikstad on Thursday, Guehi saluted supporters and then turned towards Channel 5’s cameras with a mischievous grin.

"There’s other players, you know," he quipped, hinting that the media spotlight should not fall entirely on him despite the whirlwind of rumours.

Meanwhile, Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted Guehi’s situation is becoming increasingly difficult to control.

"If Marc wants to sign a new contract, then he can stay! It’s a difficult situation," he admitted. "Everyone has to sell players to comply with the rules. That’s a situation that we will have to look at in the next 11 days."

Guehi arrived at Selhurst Park from Chelsea in 2021 and has since become one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders. He has clocked up more than 150 appearances in red and blue, guiding the team through one of the most successful periods in their history. Earlier this year, he lifted the FA Cup, Palace’s first major trophy, and followed it up by beating Liverpool at Wembley to claim the Community Shield.

Manager Oliver Glasner, already seething with the board’s handling of Eberechi Eze’s future, is desperate not to lose another star. Glasner is banking on having Guehi available for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, as well as the return leg against Fredrikstad in Norway next week. The Austrian coach is well aware, though, that the decision could soon be taken out of his hands if Liverpool step up their bid.