Arsenal have been “calling” for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, while Liverpool are also “really pushing”, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners are having a great season with Mikel Arteta leading them to first position in the Premier League, while they beat Portsmouth 4-1 over the weekend to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Arsenal are 14 points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool and six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, who occupy second and third place respectively.

Mikel Arteta was heavily backed in the summer transfer window as the Arsenal board gave him the funds to make eight new signings with the Gunners looking to end a run of three consecutive second-placed finishes to finally win the Premier League.

There have been rumours that Arsenal could enter the transfer market in January to get them over the line with Arteta admitting that the club “have to be actively looking”.

When asked about potential winter signings, Arteta said: “The window is there, I mean, we’re Arsenal and we have to be looking at it, OK, ‘What do we need?’ And we have to be actively looking, and then if can we do it or not, that’s a different story. But our job is to be always very prepared because something can happen, so hopefully very positive.”

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Crystal Palace defender Guehi has been identified as a target by Arsenal as they look to improve their defence in the coming months.

Guehi is attracting interest from a number of clubs with Romano revealing that Arsenal have been “calling”, Liverpool are “really pushing”, while a January move to Manchester City is “alive”.

On Guehi, Romano told his YouTube channel: “To finish, many questions on Marc Guehi and what is going to happen.

“The real intention of the player has always been to move in the summer on a free transfer, with Liverpool really pushing and Arsenal calling because Mikel Arteta is a big fan.

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“Bayern Munich also had some meetings, but now Manchester City have been very clear. They want to try, they want to make an important proposal, and they want to go strong for Guehi in this January window.

“Manchester City are prepared to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace. They don’t see any problem on that side.

“But it’s on the player, because his plan has always been to move in the summer on a free transfer. So let’s see what happens, but the Marc Guehi story remains absolutely alive.”

On Guehi’s future, Liverpool legend John Barnes told Cover earlier this week: “I’d love to see Guehi join Liverpool. January is never the time to make a transfer; it’s mid-season and it’s not healthy for players or clubs to make changes halfway through a campaign.

“Having said that, for Crystal Palace, letting Guehi leave would make sense because they aren’t in any danger in terms of their Premier League position, and this will be the last opportunity they get to bring in some money for Guehi.

“Selhurst Park chiefs might decide to cash in on Guehi now to get £20m-£30m, rather than lose him for free in the summer.

“But given Arsenal have a lot of depth in the center-back position and Manchester City, aside from their injury issues, are not lacking talent in that area, Liverpool would make sense as a perfect next club for Guehi.”