Oliver Glasner has cast serious doubt over his Crystal Palace future by suggesting he could depart alongside his star players this summer. The Eagles have endured a turbulent few months despite their triumphant FA Cup victory last term.
Palace found themselves locked in a bitter legal dispute with UEFA after being denied their Europa League spot due to multi-club ownership regulations. This setback has severely hampered their transfer activity, with only two new signings secured – Ajax’s Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
Meanwhile, their prized assets continue to attract attention from Premier League rivals. Arsenal are reportedly circling around Eberechi Eze, whilst Liverpool have set their sights on captain Marc Guehi.
Recent speculation suggests the Reds are frontrunners for the former Chelsea defender, who enters the final year of his current deal. Now Glasner has dropped a bombshell by indicating he may also consider his position if the centre-back departs.
Speaking before Sunday’s Community Shield showdown with Crystal Palace, the Austrian manager revealed: “Marc and me – we have the same fate. I can’t speak, you have to ask Marc. At the end, it’s always the player’s decision.
“Marc decides about his future. Of course, everybody wants Marc to sign a new contract. It will be his decision. Everybody wants to keep this squad together as it did so well. I don’t know how often this happens here at Palace.
“We never know what will happen in this sometimes crazy transfer market.”
When pressed whether his own future depends on the remainder of the window, Glasner ominously responded: “We will see.”
On Palace’s lack of action so far, he added: “I said if we want to be better than last year, then it’s my advice, ‘Let’s sign at least two players, then we can achieve this’. To be competitive in four competitions. If somebody thinks that’s nonsense, OK, let’s see.
“If Crystal Palace wants to play European football, wants to climb the Premier League table and reproduce the success again, it’s just what you have to do. Everybody knows this in the building.
“Of course, it helps if players are in early when you start with pre-season because here you have time to train. We are quite passive. We are short of numbers, we have to add players, especially with quality.”
Palace kick off their new campaign at Wembley on Sunday before launching their Premier League season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in seven days’ time.
Eze’s destiny could well be sealed by that point.
The England star boasts a £62.5million release clause in his Selhurst Park deal, though this expires on August 15.
Should no suitors emerge before that deadline, Palace are anticipated to demand significantly more than that figure.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk