Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is once again ready to swoop for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, a year on from being priced out of a move for the Eagles’ captain. However, the Gunners are understood to also want to tie down William Saliba to a new contract, which could complicate a move for Guehi.
The 24-year-old England international has just a year remaining on his contract with Palace, which should make him considerably more affordable now than the reported £70million asking price that put the Gunners off last summer.
Despite the U-turn on their interest in Guehi, Arsenal are determined to keep their defensive talisman Saliba at the club for several seasons to come. As a result, the Three Lions ace may not wish to join a team with such a formidable defensive partnership in the shape of Saliba and Gabriel, given he could struggle for regular game time.
With the World Cup also approaching next summer, Geuhi will most likely want to be at a club where he is assured of regular game time – even if that means staying at Palace, who are weighing up whether to cash in if they can’t tie the ex-Chelsea man down to a new deal off the back of their FA Cup triumph.
As per The Times, Arsenal shelved interest in Guehi in 2024, and instead moved for Riccardo Calafiori to cover central and left-back positions instead.
Now, according to The Athletic, Arteta is now once again keen on adding an experienced centre-back to his ranks.
The report also says Arsenal made a significant effort to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, only for the Spanish international to choose Real Madrid, meaning Guehi is now back on their radar.
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and old club Chelsea are all believed to have held an interest in the defender. However, Chelsea are due 20 per cent of any future sale, after Guehi came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, which is believed to have influenced the Eagles’ hefty demands.
Arsenal have already tied down 27-year-old Brazil star Gabriel to a new four-year contract. With Saliba, 24, about to head into the last two years of his current contract, the club have opened discussions about a new deal.
The Gunners hierarchy are confident that the French international wants to stay despite interest from Madrid. The centre-half has also claimed he is content in north London and there was “no rush” to sort out his future.
“I’m really happy here,” he said. “I’ve been here for two years-and-a-half as well. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.
Speaking on his own future after Palace won the FA Cup in May, Guehi said: “I’m still under contract at this football club, so my focus is always at this football club. So, you know, for me, the most important is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds.”
It’s looking likely that Arsenal’s willingness for Saliba to stay could play a decisive factor in Guehi’s next move with a club like Newcastle surely able to offer him more minutes on the pitch. Regardless, Palace appear to already be preparing for life without their captain, who could now leave this summer for a fee closer to the region of £40m-£45m.
Reports state that the Eagles have lined up a move for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande. Arsenal were also said to be interested, but it was said over the weekend Palace are gearing up to strike with a £45m bid for the Ivory Coast international.
