Arsenal are now showing ‘increasing interest’ in agreeing to a last-gasp transfer from Crystal Palace for the Eagles’ star defender, Marc Guehi, before next week’s deadline.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that Arsenal are stepping up their interest. But Emirates Stadium chiefs may face a race against time to convince Crystal Palace to grant Guehi the move. The summer sales slam shut to Premier League teams at 23:00 next Friday.
Arsenal are yet to hold talks with Crystal Palace over the possibility of Guehi switching from south to north London. Manager Mikel Arteta is, however, a fan of what the 23-year-old can add to his squad. The Spaniard is open to further additions after Jurrien Timber’s ACL injury.
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Arsenal showing ‘increasing interest’ in Marc Guehi’s transfer
Timber was due to give Arteta depth at right-back, centre-half and left-back after joining the Gunners from AFC Ajax. He also quickly established his importance after arriving at Emirates Stadium in July. But the 22-year-old will spend most of his debut campaign on the sidelines.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu – once back from his one-match ban – can still give Arteta a versatile presence. But Arsenal are showing ‘increasing interest’ in making Guehi a Gunner before the transfer window ends. Crystal Palace will be loath to let the England enforcer go.
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Guehi is an essential cog in the team at Selhurst Park and landed his England bow last March against Switzerland. Gareth Southgate has since kept the four-cap ace in his thoughts over the Three Lions’ following squads. Guehi only failed to make a team for the 2022 World Cup.
The Crystal Palace star could be perfect for Mikel Arteta’s plans
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira signed Guehi from Chelsea after taking over Crystal Palace for up to £20m in July 2021. The former Gunners captain also believed in the defender’s talent and leadership. He afforded Guehi the Eagles’ captaincy before Crystal Palace sacked Vieira.
Guehi has enjoyed 84 appearances with the Selhurst Park side since, including starting their two Premier League games this season. While his improving abilities on the ball astounded Garth Crooks against Everton this April. Guehi stunned the pundit with his refined passing.
“The ball for Jordan Ayew to run onto from Marc Guehi during the game’s early exchanges was quite brilliant by the Crystal Palace centre-back,” Crooks said for his BBC Sport Team of the Week. “You don’t often see such cultured passes played forward from central defenders.
“They are normally five-yard passes, a desperate boot up front or a square ball that simply leaves another player with the same problem. It was the sort of pass that made people sit up and take notice.”
Guehi’s ability on the ball could make him perfect for Arteta if Arsenal and Crystal Palace can agree his transfer. The defender also showed Arteta what he can add defensively on Monday after sticking with Eddie Nketiah. It may have induced the Gunners to increase their interest.