Report: Arsenal set to join the race to sign Premier League star | OneFootball

Arsenal and City circle as Guehi decision nears

The Mirror has cast fresh light on one of the most compelling contract stand offs in the Premier League, and it centres on a defender who has quietly become one of England’s most reliable operators. Marc Guehi’s future has turned into a strategic chess match involving Manchester City, Arsenal and a cluster of Europe’s elite, with Crystal Palace holding the most delicate hand of all.

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City may be described as red hot favourites, driven by immediate necessity rather than long term planning. Injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, with John Stones also sidelined, have exposed the thin margins in Pep Guardiola’s defensive depth. That urgency explains the January push, but it does not remove the complications. Palace know the landscape, and they also know the player.

Arsenal’s re-entry into the conversation feels less reactive and more calculated. They have admired Guehi before, stepped away last summer, and now find the market conditions shifting in their favour. With the defender able to walk away for free in the summer, patience becomes leverage rather than risk.

The Mirror rightly frames this as a multi club contest shaped by timing, injuries and ambition, rather than a simple bidding war.

Palace balancing ambition and reality

From Palace’s perspective, this is not merely about maximising a fee. They are still in Europe, have the FA Cup ahead of them, and harbour realistic hopes of pushing for another continental place. Removing their captain mid season would strike at the heart of those aims.

There is precedent for Palace’s resolve. Liverpool had a bid of £35m plus £5m in add ons accepted last summer, yet the deal did not cross the line before deadline day. That episode underlines two truths. Palace will negotiate if the price is right, but they will not be rushed into a decision that undermines their season.

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The quoted words from Oliver Glasner capture that internal tension perfectly. “Honestly I don’t know what will happen,” he admitted, before adding, “If you’re just valuing sports, everyone in the club will say Marc has to stay.” The realism followed swiftly. “Nothing in life is one-dimensional… if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”

Those remarks are not an invitation to sell cheaply. They are a reminder that Palace understand both the emotional and financial stakes, and will only move when the balance decisively tips.

Arsenal calculations and defensive strength

For Arsenal, the attraction is obvious even with a defence already stacked with quality. William Saliba and Gabriel remain one of the Premier League’s outstanding partnerships, yet modern title contenders are built on competition, not comfort.

Last summer’s recruitment, with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie arriving, showed a willingness to think beyond immediate needs. With Andrea Berta now shaping the sporting vision, Arsenal’s market activity is guided by opportunity as much as necessity. Signing Guehi on a free would be exactly that, a chance to add arguably England’s best defender without a transfer fee.

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There is also the matter of profile. Guehi’s calm distribution, leadership and positional intelligence align with Arsenal’s desire to control games from the back. “He would raise standards across the squad,” as one view within the game suggests, because elite teams train harder when places are genuinely contested.

Arsenal can afford to wait, and that patience may prove decisive.

City urgency and European pressure

City’s interest is understandable, but it is not unchallenged. Bayern Munich’s admiration is described as incredibly strong, with Vincent Kompany a keen supporter and Harry Kane likely to advocate for his England teammate. Liverpool remain attentive, fully aware of what slipped away last summer.

There is also an undercurrent of uncertainty at City. Guardiola’s long term future is still unresolved, and while Enzo Maresca has been mooted as a successor, strategic clarity matters to players weighing their next step. A January move would demand huge wages and a sizeable fee, while a summer switch offers Guehi greater contractual power.

City may be in the box seat today, but the race is far from settled.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The idea of adding Marc Guehi to an already formidable defence without paying a transfer fee in the summer is almost too logical to ignore. Arsenal fans have watched the club evolve into genuine title contenders through smart recruitment and ruthless planning, and this situation fits that pattern neatly.

There is no clamour because of injury, no panic buying. Instead, there is patience. Supporters understand that Saliba and Gabriel form an elite pairing, but they also know seasons are not won by a first choice eleven alone. Injuries, rotation and European commitments demand depth of the highest calibre.

Guehi’s leadership at Palace, his experience with England, and his comfort on the ball all suggest he would adapt seamlessly. For Arsenal fans, the appeal lies in optionality. He could start, rotate or provide cover across the back line without lowering standards. “This is how champions behave,” is the prevailing sentiment, waiting for the right player at the right moment.

If City blink and overpay now, Arsenal can afford to watch. If the summer arrives and Guehi is available, supporters would expect decisive action. Opportunities like this do not come around often, and Arsenal have learned the value of taking them.