In a dramatic twist to the January transfer saga, fresh claims have emerged confirming that Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is leaning towards a potential move to Arsenal, while shedding light on the real dynamics of interest from Manchester City and Liverpool. With Guehi’s contract at Selhurst Park set to expire in the summer of 2026, the 25-year-old England international has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League market, drawing attention from top clubs amid Palace’s willingness to cash in if the right offer arrives.
Reports from reliable sources indicate that Guehi prefers a switch to either Arsenal or Liverpool over Manchester City, despite the latter’s strong pursuit driven by their defensive injury crisis. This preference was highlighted by The Athletic’s Sam Lee on the Let Me Talk podcast, where he revealed insights from insiders: “On Monday night, I was told by somebody who knows what’s going on at City, but also I think probably Palace as well, he said he thinks Guehi wants to stay until the summer and he prefers Liverpool [to City] in any case. Somebody else messaged me on Twitter (X) and I know he’s very good on other club stuff, he was like; ‘Yeah, he wants to stay until the summer – and he prefers Liverpool and Arsenal’.”
Arsenal, who currently lead the Premier League after a recent goalless draw with Liverpool, have reportedly entered the fray as front-runners, potentially looking to bolster their backline with Guehi’s proven quality. The Gunners showed interest in the defender last summer but ultimately opted for Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen instead. However, with their title charge in full swing, a January move could now be on the cards, especially as Guehi is said to be open to the Emirates Stadium as a destination.
Liverpool’s interest remains strong, having come agonizingly close to securing Guehi last summer with a £35 million bid plus £5 million in add-ons that was accepted by Palace, only for the deal to collapse on deadline day. The Reds continue to monitor the situation closely, but Guehi’s inclination towards staying until the summer aligns with reports of his preference for Anfield or Arsenal over other suitors.
Manchester City, meanwhile, find themselves trailing in the race, positioned third behind Arsenal and Liverpool according to multiple outlets. Despite stepping up their efforts— including an initial approach and talks as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano—City’s appeal appears diminished in Guehi’s eyes. Romano stated: “Manchester City want to sign Marc Guehi in January as talks started, initial approach made. He’s on top of their list due to injuries to key defenders like Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones.” Bayern Munich is also keeping tabs, adding an international dimension to the pursuit.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been candid about the possibility of a sale, acknowledging the financial realities despite the club’s desire to retain their captain. “Honestly I don’t know what will happen,” Glasner said earlier this week. “If you’re just valuing sports, everyone in the club will say Marc has to stay. The chairman will tell you the same. But it’s not one-dimensional… On the other side, there’s the situation the contract ends in summer and, if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue. I’m not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Palace are reportedly holding out for a January fee of up to £40 million ($53.6 million), believing they can still command a premium despite Guehi’s contract situation. This stance comes as the Eagles navigate a challenging season, and cashing in on Guehi could provide funds for reinforcements.
As the January window heats up, all eyes will be on whether Arsenal capitalize on Guehi’s reported preference, or if Liverpool or City can sway the defender. With confirmation of his inclinations now clear, the truth behind the multi-club chase underscores a potential power shift in the Premier League’s defensive market. Stay tuned for developments in this high-stakes transfer story.