Glasner Parts Ways with Crystal Palace over Transfer Disagreements; Wharton & Mateta Expected to Leave This Summer

January 17 – In an exclusive column for the *Daily Mail*, Crystal Palace correspondent Bobby Manzi reports on the recent upheaval at the club.

Oliver Glasner is known for his witty interactions with the media, but even by his standards, Friday's bombshell news was staggering.

Within a matter of minutes, Crystal Palace lost both their captain and their manager. Glasner confirmed Marc Guéhi's imminent move to Manchester City, then casually added that he too would leave the club at the end of the season.

Both outcomes were somewhat expected, but the rapid-fire announcements were shocking. Palace fans may feel the club is unraveling before their eyes.

Guéhi’s pending departure prompted Glasner to go public, but it wasn't the trigger for his final decision. He had already informed chairman Steve Parish of his plans during a dinner in October.

Although Glasner has consistently portrayed a harmonious working relationship with Parish – just last month he claimed final contract talks would happen in January and that no decisions had been made about Parish’s future – underlying tensions have long simmered.

In the summer of 2024, Glasner's first transfer window at Palace, the club completed its last four signings only on deadline day, frustrating the manager and leaving him insufficient time to implement his ideas. Palace went on to suffer their worst-ever top-flight start, yet ultimately achieved their best-ever league finish – setting a points record and winning the FA Cup.

This season, Glasner aired his frustrations again publicly after a November defeat to Manchester United, criticizing the club's transfer policy and lack of squad depth.

Selling Eberechi Eze in the summer further fueled his discontent. Glasner wanted three forwards to replace the team's talisman and FA Cup final scorer, aiming to share the attacking burden, but Palace brought in only two players.

Jérémy Pino joined for £26 million and Kristantus Uche arrived on loan, yet the attack has struggled, consistently underperforming their expected goals (xG).

Competing in four competitions this season, Palace failed to recruit sufficiently to cope. At the start of the campaign, they had just one natural player for two key roles on the right flank: Daniel Muñoz at right-back and Ismaïla Sarr further forward.

Sarr was always expected to miss games due to the Africa Cup of Nations. His absence, combined with an injury to Muñoz, predictably crippled Palace's attack. The failure to foresee these disruptions proved costly, contributing to a nine-match winless run.

Since Glasner's arrival, Palace's transfer market activity has been disappointing – despite assurances the club had learned from previous windows of thin, slow-moving squads. When similar issues arose season after season, the Austrian lost confidence in the club's commitment.

A major squad overhaul is expected this summer, but Glasner saw little evidence Palace could build a coherent team effectively, making his departure a considered choice.

Crystal Palace plan to sell England international Adam Wharton, likely for around £80 million. Jean-Philippe Mateta's contract talks have completely stalled, with the forward keen to leave before his deal expires in 2027. Daichi Kamada, who joined under Glasner, is also out of contract and likely to depart.

Despite the chance for a rebuild, there are concerns Palace's golden era may be over, especially after the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman, who had masterminded the assembly of a rapidly appreciating squad.

Even with Glasner's future settled, the January window remains critical. Club hierarchy is focused on the long term but also aware of the short-term opportunity to win the EFL Trophy and secure European qualification for a second consecutive year. Therefore, they must still back Glasner, despite his impending exit.

Brennan Johnson has already joined for a club-record fee, and the fact Glasner informed Palace of his decision last year suggests alignment remains.

Palace's targets this month are a right-back, a midfielder, and a forward. Mateta could still leave in January, which would force the club to sign two additional forwards.

Angers forward Sidiki Chérif is keen on a move, and Palace have made initial contact. If Mateta departs, Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen is also under consideration.

Guéhi's exit – though Palace extracted a fee for the England international despite his contract having just five months left – presents another significant challenge.

Source: Daily Mail