Marc Guehi has informed Crystal Palace that he will not renew his contract and intends to depart when his current deal expires in June 2026. The 25-year-old England international defender, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Palace’s recent resurgence, has thus confirmed his exit at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed the news in a press conference prior to the club’s Premier League fixture, saying: “I think Marc has already told us that he does not want to sign a new contract, so he will leave next year. They offered Marc a new contract. But he said, ‘No, I want to make something different’. And that’s normal.”
The club had hoped to tie Guehi down to fresh terms, but he has repeatedly signalled his desire for a new challenge away from south London.
Guehi joined Palace in the summer of 2021 from Chelsea, and since then has made over 160 appearances for the club across competitions. In that time, he has developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs, combining elite defensive contributions with leadership as captain.
Last season he lifted the FA Cup, guiding Palace to the club’s first major trophy, and followed that with a Community Shield triumph at the start of the current campaign.
Earlier this summer there was a near move for Guehi to Liverpool, with a reported £35 million deal agreed in principle before Palace withdrew due to an inability to secure a suitable replacement. That collapse appears to have crystallised Guehi’s view that his time at the club is drawing to a close.
From the club’s perspective, the scenario presents a major challenge. Offering their captain a new contract and preparing for life without him are parallel tracks that must now be navigated.
Glasner stressed the importance of clear communication and planning: “And for us, it’s how we can deal with this situation? What is the best way to get this next step done? And that’s all about how we are talking together.”
Chairman Steve Parish has repeatedly outlined the commercial realities facing the club. With Guehi entering the final year of his contract, Palace risk losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time. In August, Parish admitted: “If Marc Guehi wants to sign a new contract, then he can stay! It’s a difficult situation.
Everyone has to sell players to comply with the rules.” Earlier this year, reports suggested bids of up to £70 million had been rejected by Palace, who were determined to keep hold of their captain for one more season.
For Guehi, the decision to leave is framed as the culmination of his development and ambition. He has been consistent in seeking a move to a club competing regularly for major honours, a shift that he clearly views as the next step in his professional journey.
Although direct quotes from Guehi are limited, the message from his camp is unambiguous: his future lies elsewhere
From Crystal Palace’s viewpoint, the remainder of the season will be about managing the transition. Losing a captain and defensive lynchpin midway through a successful campaign presents both risk and opportunity.
On one hand, they must retain focus and collective drive while reassessing their long-term strategy; on the other, the situation creates space for emerging leaders and may accelerate the club’s ambition to restructure the squad and its wage bill.
As Glasner noted, the relationship between coach, chairman and wider club leadership must remain aligned: “If we can find the same pathway, the same goal for Crystal Palace … then we will end the talks, and if we don’t find it, we’ll also end the talks.”