Arsenal have emerged as surprise suitors for Marc Guehy, with the Crystal Palace defender expected to leave Selhurst Park in the near future. Guehi has six months left on his contract with the Eagles and there are rumors the England international could move this month after a summer move to Liverpool fell through.
The Gunners are said to be interested in signing Guehi, but after spending big in the recent summer transfer window, they may have to bide their time and secure his contract on a free transfer in six months’ time. Of course, this risks someone swooping in right away and taking the talented defender first, but Arsenal could turn the tide in their favor with the perfect welcome gift for Guehi.
Because already waiting in the wings of the Emirates Stadium is his former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze. The mercurial attacking midfielder moved to London in the summer transfer window, joining Arsenal for a reported fee of £67.5 million.
Eze and Guehi were both part of the Palace team that beat Manchester City in last year’s FA Cup final, delivering Eagles fans their first piece of silverware. They have also played together in England, which could be the perfect sweetener for Guehi if he chooses to hold off on a move to Arsenal.
Considering the talent of the clubs that are said to be interested, there is a high possibility that Gehi will be selected among them for his next transfer. Furthermore, given that he is already settled in London and has spent most of his life there, that could end up working in Arsenal’s favor.
Unsurprisingly, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been highly doubtful about Guehi’s future, recently saying: “I think Marc will stay, but if Marc says “I want to leave” and the club pays him a huge amount of money with five months left on his contract, then… All the players who play for a club like Stall Palace will leave. I’m sure our president will ask for a very high fee for him and then we’ll see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave.”
Clubs have until Monday 2 January to complete the transfer process, and Gehi can now speak to teams outside England about pre-contract agreements.
