Arsenal enter Guehi race with eye on summer deal

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Marc Guehi and are interested in signing the Crystal Palace centre-back this summer.

Guehi’s contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the campaign and a host of Europe’s top teams are keen on a deal.

Liverpool saw a summer move for Guehi collapse on deadline day after Palace failed to sign a replacement, and retain a desire to bring the England international to Anfield.

However, the Premier League champions have since been joined by Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, and now Arsenal.

The Athletic are reporting that Arsenal have no plans to move for Guehi this month, but the opportunity to sign the 25-year-old as a free agent appeals.

Liverpool’s preference is also a summer transfer, despite current issues at centre-back. Manchester City could complicate proceedings with the Citizens ready to move for Guehi now.

Injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have left Pep Guardiola short of defensive depth. City hope a reasonable fee can persuade Palace into a mid-season sale, with the Eagles facing the prospect of losing their captain for nothing in the summer.

Earlier this month, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner suggested the club would sell for the right price.

“I’m not naive,” said Glasner.

“If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen. If you’re just valuing sports, everyone in the club will say Marc has to stay. The chairman will tell you the same. But it’s not one-dimensional. If you see the financial situation, it’s very important.

“If somebody comes, there will be a moment when the club says ‘now the financial issue is more important than the sports issue’.

“There will be a threshold where the club has to say it will happen – as long as Marc says ‘I want to leave’, because the final decision is always with the player.”

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