Crystal Palace Boss Drops Bombshell on Marc Guehi's Future Amid Chelsea and Liverpool Battle

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has issued a stark warning that the club will likely be compelled to offload vice-captain Marc Guéhi should he persist in declining to pen a fresh contract.

The England defender's current agreement with the Eagles runs until June and he is understood to be willing to stay in south London before departing as a free agent next summer. Palace cannot afford such a scenario to unfold.

Following Sunday's Community Shield victory against Liverpool, Parish was questioned about his willingness to part ways with the influential centre-back this year. "We'd be obliged to do that, naturally," the chairman admitted with resignation.

"For talents of that quality to depart without a fee, it presents a significant challenge for us regrettably. [Last summer] Joachim [Anderson] departed [to Fulham] and we couldn't manage to lose both players. We subsequently received another offer in January but circumstances were different then. We'll simply have to wait and see what develops. However, it requires either a fresh contract or some form of resolution."

Palace are anticipated to seek approximately £40 million ($53.9 million) for their 25-year-old vice-captain. Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with interest in Guéhi, though Liverpool are considered the frontrunners in this competitive pursuit. The Daily Mail reports that the two clubs engaged in detailed negotiations during the same weekend as the Community Shield.

Eberechi Eze represents another Palace talent highly coveted by rival clubs throughout the division. Arsenal and Tottenham are both believed to be monitoring the attacking midfielder, whose future remains highly uncertain. "Regarding who stays or leaves, it varies," Parish stated enigmatically. "If it represents the correct decision for the football club and for the individual, since nobody can force anyone to move, then there will be some alterations."

"The Premier League operates in a somewhat chaotic manner, considering the funds that clubs invest and the financial risks they assume," Palace's chairman elaborated. "Therefore I must consider all aspects surrounding [that situation].

"We'll make every effort in the coming weeks to position ourselves optimally. However, ultimately, our available resources are not unlimited."