Arsenal Is Targeting Crystal Palace Marc Guéhi

 

Recent transfer reports have put Marc Guéhi, Crystal Palace’s 24-year-old centre-back and club captain, on the radar of Arsenal’s recruitment team. According to multiple outlets citing The Athletic and other insiders, Arsenal have placed Guéhi “at the top of their shortlist” for defensive reinforcements. The English defender, who joined Palace in 2021 from Chelsea for about £18 million, has emerged as a hot topic in the summer market. As Guéhi enters the final year of his contract, top clubs are circling – and Palace must now weigh big offers versus the risk of losing him for free next year.

Marc Guéhi: Player Profile and Rise to Captaincy

Marc Guéhi is a commanding centre-back known for his composure and aerial ability. A London-born Ivorian (holding England nationality), he progressed through Chelsea’s academy and impressed on loan at Swansea before Palace signed him in July 2021 on a five-year deal. Since then he has become a fixture in the Palace defence – racking up well over 100 Premier League appearances – and has captained the side under Oliver Glasner. Guéhi’s leadership was on display in May 2025 when he co-captained Crystal Palace to the club’s first-ever FA Cup triumph, lifting the trophy alongside full-back Joel Ward after a 1–0 final win over Manchester City. Palace chairman Steve Parish hailed Guéhi as “an exciting talent” and “a valuable addition” upon his arrival, and those early assessments have largely been borne out by his consistent performances.

Arsenal Enters the Chase

Arsenal’s interest in Guéhi comes amid a busy summer for the Gunners. Having secured promotion back to the Champions League, Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his squad, particularly at the back. Reports on 10 June 2025 indicate that Arsenal have “barge[d] into” the race for Guéhi. According to FootballTransfers (citing The Athletic), Guéhi “holds a prominent place” on Arsenal’s centre-back shortlist. Sky Sports similarly noted that Arteta is “ready to swoop” for the England international. Arsenal are aware that Guéhi is entering the last 12 months of his deal, so they see him as a relatively affordable target – one source explains the club believes Palace might accept a fee in the “low £40m” range because of his contract situation. Arsenal’s pitch to Guéhi would include Champions League football and the chance to train under Arteta. However, Arsenal already have an established centre-back pairing in Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba (both of whom are extending contracts), so insiders question whether Guéhi would be guaranteed a starting role. The FootballTransfers report notes Arsenal have not definitively decided to spend heavily on a centre-back. Still, signing Guéhi would fit Arsenal’s model of investing in young British talent. Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, has been active this window, finalizing deals like Brazilian forward Benjamin Sesko and targeting wingers – but a new central defender could still materialize if negotiations go well.

Other Suitors and Contract Situation

Arsenal are not alone in pursuing Guéhi. Fabrizio Romano, the well-known transfer insider, tweeted in late April that Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle all “remain keen” on Guéhi, noting that he’s been on their lists for months. Chelsea in particular have a special interest: having sold Guéhi to Palace for £18m in 2021, they retain a sell-on clause and are considering “re-signing” the 24-year-old, as reported by The Guardian. Newcastle United tried to sign him last summer (their big bids reportedly reached around £65m) and still monitor the situation. Tottenham are scouting young midfielders but are also eyeing defensive reinforcements if they offload some stars. Palace’s perspective in all this is challenging. Manager Oliver Glasner has publicly stated that Guehi has not asked to leave, but acknowledged privately that contract talks have dragged on with no resolution. Glaser admitted in April: “The talks were going on even before I arrived – for more than two years now… No manager would want to lose their captain”. With no new deal signed, Palace risk losing Guéhi on a free in 2026. As Romano warned, letting him run down his contract “is a possibility” if no agreement is found. This has put Palace in a bind: to avoid a free exit, they may have to accept a sale this summer.

Crystal Palace’s Response and Strategic Planning

Crystal Palace have already begun contingency planning. Local media NewcastleWorld reports that Palace “are lining up a replacement for Marc Guéhi”. In particular, they have explored a move for Sporting CP’s 21-year-old Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande. Diomande, described as a highly-rated young centre-back, would reportedly cost at least €50m (around £45m). Bringing in Diomande would address the gap if Guéhi departs and would signal Palace’s ambition to remain competitive, especially now with European football on the horizon. Within Palace’s current squad, Guéhi’s leadership and defensive solidity would be sorely missed. Palace’s backline last season featured Guéhi alongside captain Joel Ward (a veteran right-back now out of contract) and younger centre-backs like Nathaniel Atkinson and Connor Hazard. If Guéhi leaves, Glasner will rely on emerging talents or new signings to fill the void. Parish & co. know they must balance on-field needs with financial reality: holding out for a high price risks losing him for nothing, so a sale now could fund multiple additions.

Transfer Window Implications and Impact

If Arsenal make a formal bid, it could be transformative for both clubs. For Arsenal, signing Guéhi adds depth to a defence that may have less continuity next season (with left-back Kieran Tierney gone and Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to depart). Guéhi’s pace and passing from the back would suit Arteta’s style and give him an English-born defender to meet homegrown quotas. For Palace, the immediate impact would be financial gain and the end of uncertainty. As FootballTransfers noted, Arsenal likely see Guéhi as an “affordable” option worth his £50m valuation, given they avoid paying a huge premium next summer. Palace could then reinvest in targets like Diomande or bolster other areas (midfield or attack) ahead of their Europa League campaign. Media voices have weighed in. The FootballTransfers report and Sky Sports pieces serve as unofficial “quotes” on the situation, but insiders like Romano and Glasner provide the sharpest commentary. Romano’s analysis underscores the business risk: allowing Guéhi to leave free would be “a huge blow” under profit rules. Glasner’s comments emphasize the human element – losing a captain affects morale. Together they suggest Palace will likely negotiate hard this summer to get any realistic offer rather than see him go gratis.

Gauging the Outcome

As of now, no official bid has been announced. But the convergence of reports—Arsenal’s clear interest, Guéhi’s expiring contract, and Palace’s search for replacements—means this saga is only beginning. Should Arsenal or another big club make a concrete offer, Palace will have to make a difficult choice: cash in on a homegrown captain or hold firm on principle. In either case, Guéhi’s situation will be one of the Premier League’s most-watched transfer stories this window. For Palace fans, the question now is how their FA Cup-winning captain’s next chapter will unfold – a story with major strategic and emotional implications for Selhurst Park.