Arsenal retain a long-standing interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, most probably as a defensive option for the summer transfer market.

The north London side have discussed pursuing the England international and figure among a host of suitors in contact with Guehi’s representatives.

Liverpool also remain in contention — relating to the end of this season, rather than the current window — with Guehi’s contract up on June 30.

Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that Manchester City were deliberating whether to push for Guehi in January, having seen Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias sustain injuries during their recent fixture against Chelsea.

Guehi came close to joining Liverpool on deadline day last September, only for Palace to pull the plug at the eleventh hour; hoping to keep the 25-year-old for the remainder of the campaign.

He completed at least part of a medical with the Anfield side after a fee of £35million ($47m) was agreed, while personal terms were in place on a contract until June 2030.

The Athletic reported in November that there was an amicable understanding between Palace and Guehi — admired by the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, too — that he would see out the final months of his deal.

The injuries to Gvardiol and Dias have left City short in defence (Oli Scarff / AFP via Getty Images)Palace manager Oliver Glasner was vocally opposed to a sale in the summer and refused to countenance his talismanic leader departing unless an appropriate replacement was found.

In October, however, he conceded that Guehi “will leave” next summer when he is scheduled to become a free agent. The Bosman rule means Guehi has been able to speak to non-English clubs about a pre-contract agreement from January 1.

Talking earlier this week, Glasner could not guarantee that Guehi would remain at the club beyond the winter market closing on February 2, saying he does not know what will happen.

City’s pursuit follows news that Gvardiol will miss several months and Dias faces up to six weeks out, while John Stones has also been sidelined since December. City have recalled academy graduate Max Alleyne from Watford and he started alongside Nathan Ake during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have Gabriel and William Saliba as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice centre-back partnership. Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber and Ben White have also featured there in 2025-26.

Guehi has missed only one match for Palace this season, owing to a minor ankle injury, and has earned praise from Glasner for his professionalism while his future has been subject to speculation.

He has made 187 first-team appearances for Palace since a 2021 move from Chelsea and captained his side to their FA Cup final victory over City at Wembley in May — the club’s first major trophy. He has also played 26 times for England and was a regular in the side that reached the 2024 European Championship final.

‘Guehi makes sense – but raises questions’

Analysis from Arsenal correspondent Dan Sheldon

Arsenal reigniting their long-term interest in Guehi and holding conversations with his representatives makes total sense.

Guehi has established himself as an exceptional defender and would be a brilliant addition to many, if not all, of the biggest teams in Europe.

So, the fact he is on Arsenal’s radar shows the Premier League leaders are alert to the market and remain open to taking advantage of a situation that arises, as well as highlighting a desire to ensure their squad remains one of the best around.

Guehi being available on a free transfer in the summer means they wouldn’t need to break the bank to sign him, although you would expect, as can often be the case in these situations, that a would-be transfer fee is wrapped up in higher wages or a signing-on bonus.

If Arsenal were to strongly pursue Guehi, then it would raise questions about the future of other players in Arteta’s squad.

Gabriel is arguably the Premier League’s best left-sided centre-back, with Calafiori and Hincapie also able to play in that position.