Crystal Palace chairman had ridiculous reason for delaying Marc Guehi transfer meeting
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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish reportedly didn't meet with Marc Guehi and his team until late on transfer deadline day due to a fitness class at a London gym.
The Eagles' captain had already undergone a medical in preparation for a $47 million (£35 million) move to Liverpool, but the deal fell through at the eleventh hour.
The failure to secure a suitable replacement, as a loan move for Brighton's Igor Julio was halted on the final day of the window, was identified as a key factor in the breakdown of Guehi's departure.
Rio Ferdinand even accused Palace of 'bullying' the defender.
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The 25-year-old is believed to be livid with the outcome, having behaved respectfully all summer while other players like Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa effectively went on strike to secure their desired transfers.
Guehi was waiting in Liverpool's London offices after undergoing a medical, once Palace had given permission, and thought he would be joining Isak on Merseyside by the end of the day.
However, concerns arose when a replacement wasn't found for Selhurst Park and Parish met with Guehi and his advisors, but only one hour before the deadline.
The 60-year-old had previously been attending a fitness class at a Soho gym before explaining the situation to his team's leader, according to the BBC.
A deal sheet for Guehi was submitted, granting Palace and Liverpool additional time to finalise the transfer post-deadline, but Parish had to inform the England international that he couldn't authorize a sale that night.
Palace did manage to secure the signature of Toulouse centre-back Jaydee Canvot, but it was believed that a more seasoned player was needed alongside the 19-year-old.
Marc Guehi was forced to return to Crystal Palace after his Liverpool transfer broke down
Palace attempted to convince Liverpool to include Joe Gomez in a deal for Guehi, but the Reds declined.
Liverpool's chase for Guehi had been a year in the making and despite splashing out around $600M (£450m) in the summer, it may feel slightly lacking at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Gomez and the young Giovanni Leoni under Arne Slot's command.
Guehi had readied a goodbye video for Palace and is now reportedly contemplating whether to continue as captain.
He will likely still secure his move, either in January or as a free agent at the season's end