Arsenal Poised to Rival Manchester City and Liverpool in Summer Pursuit of Marc Guehi

Key Takeaways:

• Arsenal are set to enter the chase for Marc Guehi as Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich express interest
• Manchester City have moved ahead in attempts to acquire Guehi this month, but Crystal Palace may demand around £40m
• Liverpool had a £35m plus £5m in add-ons bid accepted last summer but failed to finalise the transfer

Transfer Battle Intensifies for Crystal Palace Captain

Arsenal are primed to join the competitive race for the signature of Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich all monitoring the situation closely. While Manchester City have taken early steps in January to bring the 25-year-old to the Etihad, the north London club, alongside their Premier League and European rivals, remain keen contenders, especially with Guehi set to become a free agent in the summer.

🚨 BREAKING! 🤯

Arsenal ready to enter race to sign Marc Guehi. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Manchester City are pushing hard to get deal done this month. 🦈

Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool also in mix. Could take £40m and a huge contract for City to beat the summer rush. 😯

ℹ️ @johncrossmirror pic.twitter.com/Uy5MR3E4aT

— Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) January 8, 2026

It is currently uncertain whether Arsenal will submit a formal bid this month or opt to wait until Guehi’s contract expires. The Gunners previously showed interest last summer, but ultimately decided to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen instead. Nonetheless, Guehi remains highly regarded at the Emirates, and his impending free-agent status is likely to attract further interest from top European clubs.

Crystal Palace Weigh Their Options Amid January Interest

Manchester City’s pursuit of Guehi comes as the club look to bolster their defensive options, with Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones recovering from injuries. Despite Guehi’s contract nearing its conclusion, Palace are steadfast in their valuation, with any January deal expected to command a significant transfer fee – estimated around £40m – to test City’s resolve.

Liverpool, who had a £35m bid plus £5m in add-ons accepted last summer yet failed to finalise the transfer before the deadline, continue to keep tabs, while Palace weigh the merits of retaining their captain as they maintain ambitions in European competition and the FA Cup. Any club moving for him in this window must also consider that Guehi could secure a more lucrative contract as a free agent come the summer.

Strategic Considerations for Interested Clubs

A move for Guehi this month would not only require a substantial fee but also a significant financial commitment in terms of wages. City, who appear in a strong position, are not unchallenged, as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich remain alert to developments around the defender’s future. Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans are still unclear at Manchester City, while Enzo Maresca – recently linked as a possible successor – reportedly advocated for Chelsea to re-sign Guehi during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s interest continues, and Bayern Munich’s pursuit is underlined by manager Vincent Kompany’s admiration for Guehi and Harry Kane’s enthusiasm to see his international team-mate join him in Germany.

Arsenal’s Long-Term Ambitions

Arsenal may identify Guehi as an ideal target for a summer free transfer, valuing his ability to offer versatility despite already possessing a strong central defensive partnership in William Saliba and Gabriel. Last summer, under the leadership of sporting director Andrea Berta, the Gunners displayed an aggressive approach in the transfer market, signalling their intent to fortify all areas of their squad.

Capturing the services of one of England’s leading defenders, particularly on a free transfer, would represent a significant achievement for Arsenal, who are eager to secure high-calibre talent to maintain their competitive edge.