Palace line up striker bid with Guehi exit funds expected | OneFootball

Crystal Palace weigh up Oumar Diakité move as Guehi sale edges closer

Summer plans begin to take shape

Crystal Palace are preparing for a pivotal summer, both on and off the pitch. Following a successful campaign that included an FA Cup win and a historic qualification for European football, the club’s recruitment strategy is beginning to shift into gear. Central to those plans is the potential sale of Marc Guehi, whose contract expires in 2026 but is now in its final year.

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Liverpool are the front-runners to sign Guehi, with the Merseyside club said to be preparing a formal offer in the region of £45 million to £50 million. It represents a marked drop from last summer’s valuation of £75 million, but with Chelsea due 20 percent of any transfer fee, Palace will still be looking to reinvest smartly.

Diakité emerges as a target

Palace’s forward planning already appears to include reinforcements in attack. According to London World, Stade de Reims striker Oumar Diakité has emerged as a serious target. The 21-year-old Ivorian is reportedly open to the move, and Palace are understood to have offered £8.5 million to secure the transfer.

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The proposed deal includes a five-year contract worth around £3 million per year, reflecting the club’s willingness to invest in young, high-upside talent. With Reims relegated from Ligue 1, Palace sense an opportunity to sign Diakité below market value. However, Reims are expected to hold out for improved terms before finalising the deal.

Striker depth likely to be addressed

Diakité would not be expected to arrive as a guaranteed starter. Jean-Philippe Mateta remains first-choice under Oliver Glasner, with Eddie Nketiah currently as backup.

With Diakité’s output last season limited to four goals, any move would be viewed as developmental rather than immediate. A loan spell remains a possibility, should Palace pursue other options for depth up front.

Defensive priorities remain clear

While Diakité could prove to be a smart future-facing signing, the immediate focus will be on replacing Guehi if the England international does depart. Last summer’s signing of Maxence Lacroix showed Palace can act swiftly and decisively in the market when needed. The club’s scouting department has already identified multiple centre-back targets.

Photo: IMAGO

With European competition looming, Glasner will require both quality and quantity across key areas. The sale of Guehi may sting in terms of leadership and consistency, but Palace are confident it will allow them to reinforce multiple positions, including their forward line.

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Selling Marc Guehi would be a blow, not just for his defending but for what he represents. He is a leader, a calm presence, and someone who has helped transform the backline since arriving. Seeing him go to Liverpool, of all places, will feel like a step back for the supporters.

But if the club gets north of £45 million, it is crucial they reinvest smartly. Oumar Diakité is not a name many in the fanbase would have had on their radar, and truthfully, four goals for a relegated side hardly screams game-changer. Still, if the reports are accurate, this feels like a project signing. A 21-year-old with room to grow, potentially loaned out, while Mateta and Nketiah shoulder the burden.

The key is balance. They don’t want to go backwards in Europe or the league. So while Diakité could be one for the future, replacing Guehi properly must take precedence. No more gambles at centre-back.  If they get the money, they must use it wisely.