“Logical next step…”: Crystal Palace scouting lower-league “diamond” as potential replacement for Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi. (Reuters/Matthew Childs)

Crystal Palace have endured a harsh turnaround this season.

After last term’s FA Cup triumph, a Charity Shield victory, and a first-ever foray into European competition, the Eagles have seen their squad decimated.

Summer departures included Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, while Marc Guehi left for Manchester City this month.

Now, with Jean-Philippe Mateta also looking to exit and manager Oliver Glasner set to step down at season’s end, Palace find themselves battling relegation.

Amid the turmoil, the club has reportedly identified a potential successor for Guehi.

Hull City may be open to letting Charlie Hughes leave if a “huge” offer arrives, whether in January or at the end of the season.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, who also has links to Hull, told Football Insider that the Tigers’ history of player turnover could make a move for the centre-back feasible.

The 22-year-old has made 28 appearances this season and serves as vice-captain thanks to his leadership and consistent performances. Brown revealed that Crystal Palace scouts have been monitoring Hughes closely and are impressed by what they’ve seen.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Hughes,” Brown said. “He moved from Wigan to Hull, became a key part of the team, and a switch to Crystal Palace would be the logical next step.”

Brown added: “Hull have a track record of selling their standout players to Premier League clubs. With Charlie Hughes, they may have found their latest diamond, and if a big offer comes in, I think they’ll let him go.”

If Palace move for Hughes, it would signal a clear intent to rebuild from the back, replacing Marc Guehi with a younger, promising defender who could grow with the club.

While Hull may only sanction the transfer for the right fee, Hughes’s leadership and Premier League potential make him an ideal candidate to help the Eagles stabilise their defence and fend off relegation this season.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.

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