Arsenal’s interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could throw a spanner in the works for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side keen to do a deal.
David Ornstein reported for The Athletic last week that Arsenal retain a long-standing interest in Marc Guehi, most likely as a potential summer signing. The club have reportedly discussed pursuing the transfer and are in contract with the player’s representatives.
Guehi’s contract at Crystal Palace expires at the end of the season, so he’ll be available on a free transfer at that stage. But that’s only if no one signs him sooner, and Manchester City are looking to do just that.
Miguel Delaney reports today for the Independent that City are “desperate” to force through a January transfer for Guehi, and they’ve already held talks over a potential deal.
Guehi’s preference reportedly had been to wait until the summer to complete a departure from Palace, amid interest from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Ornstein had mentioned an amicable understanding between Palace and Guehi that he would see out the final months of his deal, with Oliver Glasner previously refusing to let the player leave without a replacement.
But City are set to test that stance following a double injury setback to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, and Delaney claims that Guehi is now believed to be open to a move.
Arsenal’s decision to rival City and get in contact with Guehi’s representatives should help to at least make things more difficult for the Manchester club.
Though Ornstein suggests a summer move would be most likely for Arsenal, the threat of a January bid still exists. That will make it more difficult for City to negotiate a good deal, either paying over the odds for a player in the last six months of his contract or giving up on the move entirely.
John Cross reports for the Mirror that it could now take £40m and a huge contract for City to stop Guehi playing out his final six months at Palace.
Given Arsenal’s biggest title threat comes from City, and given Guardiola’s side have been dealt a major blow in the heart of their defence, it’s in the Gunners’ interest to make it as difficult as possible for City to fill the hole left by Gvardiol and Dias.