Arsenal have emerged as a surprise suitor for Marc Guehi, with the Crystal Palace defender expected to leave Selhurst Park in the near future. Guehi has just six months left on his contract with the Eagles, and following a collapsed move to Liverpool in the summer, there is talk that the England international could be on the move this month.
The Gunners are said to have lodged an interest in signing Guehi, but because of their considerable outlay in the recent summer window, might have to bide their time and secure his signature on a free transfer six months down the line. That, of course, does run the risk of someone swooping in sooner and snatching the talented defender first, but Arsenal could turn the tide in their favour with the perfect Guehi welcome present.
That’s because already waiting in the wings at the Emirates Stadium is former Palace team-mate, Eberechi Eze. The mercurial attacking midfielder made the switch across London in the summer transfer window, joining Arsenal for a reported fee of £67.5million.
Eze and Guehi both made up part of the Palace team that delivered a maiden piece of silverware for the Eagles faithful, defeating Manchester City in last year’s FA Cup final. With experience playing together at England too, it could be the perfect sweetener for Guehi, should he opt to hold out for a move to Arsenal.
Given the calibre of clubs said to be interested, it’s likely Guehi will have the pick of the bunch when it comes to his next move. What’s more, given he’s already settled in London and has lived there most of his life, that could also end up working in Arsenal’s favour.
Understandably, Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been quizzed extensively on Guehi’s future, most recently saying: “I think Marc will stay but if Marc says ‘I want to leave’, and a club pays massive money – with five months left of a contract – every player will leave if you’re playing for a club like Crystal Palace. I’m pretty sure our chairman will ask for a very high price for him and then let’s see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave.”
Clubs will have until Monday, January 2 to complete transfer business, with Guehi currently able to speak to teams outside of England about a pre-contract agreement.