Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace adjusts his captain's arm band
After one of the most heavily publicised and long-winded transfer sagas of the summer in 2024, Marc Guehi looks set to be at the centre of another bidding war when the window reopens for business in a few short weeks.
Crystal Palace have not yet given up hope of keeping their skipper at Selhurst Park, while Newcastle's interest remains given his 2026 contract expiration. Chelsea and Tottenham are both said to hold a keen interest in the defender too.
Reports this week, however, suggest the Blues - who sold Guehi to Palace back in 2021 - are hesitating over making a move. Meanwhile, Spurs' interest relies heavily on the club returning to the Champions League next season.
The only way Ange Postecoglou's side can achieve that feat is by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final next Wednesday. Defeat for the north London side would likely see the Australian coach sacked and a changing of the club's transfer plans heading into the summer window.
Newcastle kept their powder dry last summer as Palace raised Guehi's price tag with the deadline approaching. The Magpies were wary of overpaying for the England international but also knew a big-money sale would likely be needed to balance the books upon Guehi's arrival.
Then there is Palace, still holding out hope that the centre-back chooses to stay in south London after all. “We haven’t just started talking about his contract,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted recently.
“The talks were going on even before I arrived – for more than two years now. Marc is thinking what is best for his personal career and this is what we have to accept.
“I don’t know [if he will sign a new deal]. I don’t think about what happens in summer. On the 26th of May, I will turn my phone off for one or two weeks and then we will see what happens."
Newcastle are expected to push for a right-sided centre-back this summer, along with attacking options out on the right and through the middle.