Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner admits Marc Guehi "has to" stay at the club past the transfer deadline on September 1.
The captain has entered the final year of his contract and the club were looking to sell him this summer in order to avoid a free transfer at the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Speaking ahead of the Eagles's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, Glasner gave an update on Guehi's future and his commitment to the side.
"From my side, he has to [still be a Crystal Palace player] because it's not possible at the moment to find a Marc Guehi replacement who can play straight in the Premier League, being a starter, being consistent.
"When we see our foundation of success in the last few months, it's our defence... Marc is a crucial part.
"Getting the right replacement in now is almost impossible", Glasner continued.
Despite the club looking to move the England International along, it seems he wants to stay put in South London.
"He shows in every game that he's focused. If Marc had said 'I want to leave Crystal Palace', it would already have happened weeks ago", Glasner said.
"Marc is fully committed to the team, he shows it every third day at the moment... it is my point of view that we need to keep Marc."
Palace's tough start to the season
Palace have already suffered a big loss in Eberechi Eze after his £67.5 million signing to Arsenal on August 23.
So to lose Guehi would be another blow.
It's not been smooth sailing for The Eagles lately - they were demoted to the Europa Conference League after an appeal denial.
They are also yet to pick up a win in the Premier League, after drawing to both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
A positive to take away is their advancement in the Conference League after winning on a 1-nil aggregate over Norwegian side Fredrikstad.
Guehi was featured in the starting 11 during their second leg match on August 28 and played the full 90 minutes.
Liverpool are reported to have their eye on the centre-back, but nothing has come of the interest yet.
The Eagles captain has turned down a new contract at Palace.
Glasner is hopeful that more signings will be done ahead of the window closure on September 1, so if they find a replacement and the right deal comes from Liverpool, Guehi could still be out the door.