Marc Guehi has recently entered the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace, and Europe's top clubs are beginning to circle Selhurst Park like vultures
10:55, 12 Jan 2026Updated 10:56, 12 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace walks out onto the pitch before the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace on January 10, 2026 in Macclesfield, England
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Marc Guehi showed his class following Crystal Palace's defeat to Macclesfield(Image: Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Marc Guehi showed his true colours following Crystal Palace's 2-1 defeat to Macclesfield in the FA Cup third round. The National League North outfit became the first non-league team in 117 years to beat the holders as they clambered past Oliver Glasner's side in the competition's biggest ever upset.
After the game, supporters who had made the trip to Cheshire made their feelings clear – and Guehi faced the music. In an attempt to calm the waters, the Palace captain addressed the fans.
The TNT Sport cameras spotted Guehi exchanging a few words with those in the away end before security staff stepped in and led him away. It remains unknown exactly what the 25-year-old said, but he later offered his congratulations to Macclesfield in an interview with club media.
Guehi claimed the Eagles to didn't approach the tie as well as he would have hoped, while also describing John Rooney's side as the better team. Any potential suitor would have been delighted to see the England international's leadership on display as they queue up for his signature.
According toThe Mirror, Arsenal are set to join Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Guehi. The Eagles star has entered the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, making him available for a discounted fee in the January transfer window.
The report claims that Arsenal have shown a genuine interest in Guehi, having first shortlisted him as an option in the summer. The Gunners, however, chose to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia and Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen instead.
Marc Guehi speaks to the travelling Crystal Palace fans following the 2-1 loss vs Macclesfield.
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Marc Guehi speaks to the travelling Crystal Palace fans following the 2-1 loss vs Macclesfield. (Image: BBC Sport)
The Mirror claims that Palace will need a 'substantial offer' to convince them to sell this month. At the end of August, Liverpool had a £35m bid, plus £5m in add-ons, accepted, but Steve Parish pulled the plug on deadline day.
The Eagles will reportedly demand a similar fee, knowing many of Europe's top clubs are in the market for a new centre-back. Fortunately for Palace, from a negotiating perspective, there's a new rule which could add millions to Guehi's price tag.
Not too long ago, there was a rule which prevented players from representing more than one club in the FA Cup during a single season. Many on social media feared that the Englishman would be cup-tied, having featured against Macclesfield.
Marc Guehi competes with Josh Kay during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace.
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Marc Guehi and Crystal Palace suffered an embarrassing defeat to Macclesfield in the FA Cup third round. (Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
But, a newly-amended rule means Guehi would be eligible to play for another club in the competition this season. The FA's previous rule reads: "A player shall only play for one club in the competition during the same season".
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The FA's new rule reads: "Save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition)."
In short, a player can play for more than one club in the FA Cup, so long as it's not in the same round. While Palace could inflate Guehi's price tag, the new rule is brilliant news for any potential suitor looking to get their hands on some silverware.
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