Liverpool's hopes of securing a deal for long-term target Marc Guehi in the January transfer window may have been dealt a significant blow following a worrying injury to a key Crystal Palace teammate.
Palace's Defensive Crisis After Arsenal Clash
The issue arose during Crystal Palace's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday night. American defender Chris Richards was stretchered off in the second half after a painful collision with Gunners forward Gabriel Jesus.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided an update post-match, revealing Richards suffered a deep cut. "He got a stamp on his foot, and it had to be stitched," Glasner said. "The doctor told me it doesn't look so bad. I'm always hopeful."
The immediate concern for Glasner was a lack of defensive cover on the bench, forcing midfielder Will Hughes into action and Jefferson Lerma to drop into the back four.
Guehi's Future Hangs in the Balance
This development directly impacts the future of Marc Guehi. The England international is out of contract at the end of the season and was the subject of a failed £35 million move to Liverpool on last summer's deadline day.
The deal collapsed when Palace chairman Steve Parish refused to sanction the sale without securing a replacement. With Richards now injured, Parish's stance is likely to harden further, making a mid-season exit for Guehi even more complicated for Liverpool to engineer.
Guehi's situation continues to attract major European interest, with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid also monitoring the centre-back. Manchester City are another club believed to be keen on the 24-year-old.
Parish's Cautious Stance on Palace Sales
Despite Palace's impressive push for European qualification, chairman Steve Parish has already hinted that player sales are part of the club's model. In comments earlier this month, he stressed financial prudence.
"We've got one eye on players who we might have to replace in the summer," Parish revealed. "We're not going to throw it all on red and have a massive problem... You have to have some guardrails as a club."
He specifically referenced the Guehi situation, stating: "The one where we didn't, with Marc, we kept him. You can’t always make happen what you want to."
This injury to Chris Richards adds a fresh layer of complexity to the ongoing Marc Guehi transfer saga. Liverpool's desire to finally land their man in January now faces the practical reality of a Crystal Palace side suddenly short on defensive options, potentially pushing any resolution to the summer.
