Roy Hodgson speaks out on Marc Guehi transfer saga involving his two former clubs
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Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said Marc Guehi’s future should have been “sorted out much quicker” this summer, and said he feels sorry for the defender after his deadline-day switch to Anfield was scuppered.
Guehi had been on the verge of signing for Liverpool when his transfer was cancelled at the 11th hour following Igor Julio’s decision to join West Ham United over Palace.
It left the Eagles without a replacement for the outgoing captain, who was forced to remain at Selhurst Park.
That’s despite Guehi beginning his medical ahead of a summer move and a deal sheet being submitted before the deadline.
Throughout the transfer saga, Guehi continued to represent Palace and has played in every minute of the club’s six games this season.
Hodgson, who worked with Guehi during both stints at the London club, said Guehi has ended up being the “loser in the situation”.
“I worked with him for a year-and-a-half," Hodgson told talkSPORT.
That's been shown quite clearly during this long, drawn-out saga.
“He's the person I feel really sorry for because if right at the beginning it had been made clear his task ahead would be to stay at Crystal Palace and there'd be no question he'd be leaving in the transfer window, then I'm sure he would have got his head around that.
Guehi thought Sunday's win over Aston Villa would be his last game for Palace
Alternatively, the Reds may look to sign the ex-Chelsea defender for free next summer when his contract expires.
But Hodgson has warned that Guehi could extend his contract at Palace beyond the summer, when his current deal expires.
“Anything is possible,” he said