Marc Guehi to Arsenal transfer claim made as truth behind Man City and Liverpool interest clear

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi's contract is set to expire in summer 2026 and interest is building in the January transfer window

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is more inclined towards a move to Arsenal or Liverpool rather than Manchester City, according to reports. The defender was on the brink of a switch to Anfield last summer, but the deal fell through, leaving his future up in the air.

The centre-back's contract with Palace is due to run out in 2026, and manager Oliver Glasner has admitted that he could leave Selhurst Park this month if an appropriate offer is tabled.

Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are all closely monitoring the 25 year old. However, current Premier League leaders Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top following a goalless draw with Liverpool on Thursday, have also reportedly entered the race for his signature.

Sam Lee from The Athletic suggested on the Let Me Talk podcast that City are trailing behind Liverpool and Arsenal in the pursuit of the Palace defender.

He revealed: "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'. I was like; 'Well I haven't heard Arsenal', but that kind of tallies what I'd been told the night before."

Whether Arsenal will table an offer now or wait until the summer when Guehi's contract runs out remains unclear. The Gunners showed interest in the defender last summer before opting for Spain's Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie instead.

Liverpool had a £35million bid, plus £5million in add-ons, accepted last summer but failed to complete the transfer on deadline day. Palace are understood to believe they can command a similar fee in January, particularly with Manchester City showing strong interest following injuries to key defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, whilst John Stones is also sidelined.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner addressed Guehi's future earlier this week, saying: "Honestly I don't know what will happen," and "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.

"Nothing in life is one-dimensional. So if you see the financial situation, it's very important. Everybody wants him to play for Crystal Palace, sign a new contract and stay here forever.

"That's what everybody will tell you. 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."