Arsenal Join Man City, Bayern And Liverpool In Explosive Marc Guehi Transfer Battle

The January transfer window may not be finished yet, but one of the most captivating sagas of the entire 2025/26 season is unfolding right before our eyes. Arsenal have officially entered the race to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. 

They thrust themselves into a battlefield alongside Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool for one of the most coveted defenders in English football. That is according to multiple reports emerging today as the window edges toward its final phase. 

What once looked like a quiet winter of incremental squad tweaks has transformed into a potential blockbuster race for a 25-year-old centre-back whose contract expires in the summer. 

The twist? Clubs may have to act now or risk facing a free-agent bidding war in July. Let’s break down how the situation stands and why every top club in Europe is suddenly fixated on Guehi’s next move.

Arsenal’s Sudden Surge In The Marc Guehi Sweepstakes

Arsenal’s interest in Marc Guehi might sound surprising, but on closer inspection, it fits into a broader pattern of defensive planning for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners were previously linked with Guehi in the summer but pivoted to other targets like Cristhian Mosquera and for Piero Hincapié instead. 

That domestic strategy made sense at the time. Arsenal already boasts a strong defensive core, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and now Mosquera and Hincapie forming a reliable backbone. 

However, long-term planning and depth concerns appear to have pushed the club back to the drawing board. Fresh claims suggest Arsenal are ready to ‘enter’ the transfer race, even though the Gunners might prefer securing Guehi on a free transfer in the summer rather than splashing significant cash now. 

The Mirror’s John Cross indicated that Arsenal’s interest is genuine and reflects their desire to bolster squad depth and maintain a defensive edge over rivals in all competitions. There are intriguing narrative elements, too. Some Arsenal players were spotted chatting with Guehi after Crysta Palace’s Carabao Cup clash. 

That has been spun by pundits and fans alike as a subtle hint of mutual respect and familiarity. While Arsenal’s motivation is clear, adding elite defensive cover, the stumbling block will be timing and cost. It is one thing to track a player for the summer; it’s another to compete financially with teams that have urgent needs right now.

Why Manchester City Are Positioned As The Frontrunners

Manchester City’s interest in Guehi is not merely a matter of speculation. Reports are firm that the former Premier League champions are prepared to submit an offer to Crystal Palace after negotiations that could reshape their defensive crisis this season. 

City’s defensive woes are well-documented. Star defenders Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias have both suffered significant injuries. Leaving Pep Guardiola’s side alarmingly thin at centre-back. The window for reinforcement is narrow, and Guardiola appears to be acting accordingly. According to sources, City have agreed personal terms with Guehi, a remarkable step, and are now focused on striking a fee agreement with Palace. 

The proposed structure could be a modest £15m up front, rising to £20m with add-ons, a reflection of Guehi’s expiring contract. This approach aligns with the modern transfer landscape, where clubs leverage a player’s contract situation to negotiate a deal well below market value. Even so, Palace may hold out for closer to £40m, a figure more reflective of his ability and status as captain. 

City’s urgency is unmistakable. They need defensive reinforcements now rather than in the summer, and Guehi fits the profile of a proven Premier League centre-back. It’s why Guardiola’s side are widely regarded as the current front-runners in this tug-of-war.

Bayern Munich And Liverpool: Long-Term Threats Or Genuine Contenders?

While Arsenal and City grab most of the headlines, European giants Bayern Munich remain in the mix, albeit more as a summer threat than a January contender. Reports from Germany suggest Bayern admire Guehi and see him as an ideal addition to their back line, with manager Vincent Kompany reportedly a big fan. 

Bayern’s interest is significant for two reasons. First, it underscores just how broad Guehi’s appeal is; he is not merely a domestic target but a European one. Second, Bayern may wait until the summer to capitalize, betting that clubs like Arsenal or City overpay now for a defender they could sign for free in just a few months.

Liverpool’s situation is more nuanced. The Reds were linked with Guehi last summer, having even accepted a £35m offer before the deal collapsed. Recent reports suggest that the club may struggle to reignite this pursuit in January due to financial and strategic reasons. 

Fabrizio Romano noted that Liverpool internally believe they may miss out on this window, especially with City pushing ahead. 

That said, Liverpool’s long-term interest remains undeniable. With defensive frailties and injuries impacting their campaign, it would not be surprising if they circle back with renewed force in the summer.

Crystal Palace’s Dilemma And Guehi’s Personal Outlook

At the heart of this saga is Crystal Palace and, more importantly, Marc Guehi himself. The club faces a difficult choice: keep their captain for the remainder of the season or cash in now and avoid losing him for nothing in the summer. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been candid about the situation. 

He believes the defender might stay until the end of the season, yet he refuses to rule out a January exit if a substantial offer arrives and the player is willing. Guehi’s own position seems balanced. He is reportedly content at Palace for now, but will consider his world-class ambitions and playing time in the future. 

Especially with England and the upcoming World Cup cycle in sight. Regular minutes are crucial for any player with international aspirations. In essence, Palace are caught between sporting necessity and financial logic. Sell now and reinvest, or hold on and risk losing their captain for nothing in July, a dilemma most mid-table clubs would rather avoid.

Conclusion

This transfer saga has all the makings of a winter blockbuster: urgency, strategy, cross-continental interest, and a high-stakes gamble on a player whose contract situation makes him uniquely valuable. 

For Arsenal, the timing might be less than ideal, but the potential reward is clear, adding defensive quality with long-term upside. For Manchester City, it is about immediate necessity and squad stability. Bayern Munich and Liverpool lurk as significant threats, particularly as the summer approaches.