Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner held a bombshell press conference in which he admitted that not only was he leaving the club, but captain Marc Göch was also close to leaving the club himself.
Jean-Philippe Mateta could also leave Crystal Palace, according to Oliver Glassner (Image: )
Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave in the summer, sparking an exodus for Crystal Palace.
Palace captain Marc Guehy could be set to leave even sooner after Manchester City agreed a £30m deal with the England defender. Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta also has 18 months left on his contract and Palace could be forced to raise cash, so he could be on the move.
There was an incredible uproar at Selhurst Park on Friday morning after Glasner made bombshells to his players. And his departure means he is firmly on Manchester United’s shortlist.
Glasner said he wanted a “new challenge” ahead of Palace’s trip to Sunderland on Saturday, before announcing minutes later that the club had agreed a move for Gehi to City.
City manager Josep Guardiola is keen to sign Guehi to strengthen his squad, but the deal is noteworthy as the centre-half only has six months left and will be a free agent in the summer.
read more: Manchester City’s transfer fee for Marc Gehi, with whom they reached an agreement in January transfer negotiations, revealedread more: Transfer News LIVE: City agree £30m Guehi deal, Manchester United confident in Baleva, Glasner set to leave Crystal Palace
City will have to pay £20m and the fee has risen to £30m, but it could be even higher as it is packed with additional benefits and incentives based on success.
Guehi, 25, agreed a huge contract worth £300,000-a-week as City knew they would be able to command huge wages as a free agent, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich ready to pounce.
But Glasner insisted that Guehi’s departure was unrelated to his own, and that he had already agreed with chairman Steve Parish that Guehi, who led the club to FA Cup glory last season, would leave at the end of his contract.
“My decision had already been made several months ago, and I met with Steve over dinner during an international vacation in October,” Glassner said.
“I told him that I would not sign a new contract with Crystal Palace. At the time we agreed that it was best to keep this contract between us. I told the team the same thing today. I think it is important to be clear. I have not spoken to any other clubs.”
Mark Gehi follows Glasner out of the Selhurst Park exit (Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
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Glasner admitted his dressing room was “surprised” that Guehi, who was due to join Liverpool on deadline day last summer, decided to leave and will not be part of the squad against Sunderland.
“If the players wanted to leave, a deal would be done, and now it looks like it’s happened. Everyone wanted Marc Gehi to stay permanently,” Glasner said.
“I wish him the best for the rest of his career. He’s still at the beginning of a great career. He’s a great guy.”
Glasner also warned French international striker Mateta that he could be moved if he does not accept a new contract.
Glassner added: “It’s the same thing. There will be a price for Crystal Palace to say, ‘There’s 18 months left on the contract, but if JP wants it, we’ll do it.’ If no one pays this price, JP will remain. ”
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