Soccer Football - FA Cup - Final - Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 17, 2025 Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Arsenal is ready to reenter the race for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi as Mikel Arteta remains a big admirer of the player. Arsenal were interested in signing Guehi last summer, but were priced out of a deal with Palace demanding £70m.
The 24-year old England international now has one year remaining on his contract, which should lower his evaluation. The Daily Mirror reports that this evaluation is in the region of £40m-£45m. Arsenal were keen on Guehi for his versatility and leadership, with Arteta seeking genuine competition to his first choice central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal are also seeking more defensive cover to compensate for injuries, which left the club short of cover towards the latter stages of last season. Key centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a season-ending hamstring injury ahead of Arsenal’s crucial Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.
Jakub Kiwior deputized admirably as the Gunners shocked the Spanish giants 5-1 on aggregate, but with Kiwior’s future uncertain there could be a need for another addition in that area.
Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White also spent extended periods on the treatment table, and Guehi is seen as perhaps as a dependable alternative.
Arsenal reignite interest in Guehi
Any deal for Guehi is believed to be difficult at this time, with the FA Cup winning skipper likely to have his fair share of suitors. The player is likely aware that he won’t be first choice at Arsenal and would have his work cut out for him to usurp Saliba or Gabriel.
Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and former club Chelsea all held interest in the player last summer. Newcastle in particular launched three bids for Guehi, going as high as £60m, but could not convince Palace to sell.
They could surface for the player’s signature again, and with many of Newcastle’s backline aging, Guehi would have a strong case to go straight into the XI.
With next year’s World Cup approaching, Guehi will need to play regular football if he is to catch the eye of England boss Thomas Tuchel. Staying at Palace for the final year of his contract remains an option for the player as well, as he could then reassess his future as a free agent.
The Sun reported last month that Barcelona and Real Madrid are dream destinations for the player should he leave Selhurst Park for free.
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