Arsenal could be presented with a rare market opportunity this summer, with Marc Guehi increasingly expected to see out his contract and leave on a free transfer.
Latest developments suggest the 25-year-old is prepared to wait until the end of the season to decide his future, despite strong interest from Manchester City, who have explored the possibility of a January move.
Arsenal’s interest in Guehi is long-standing and strategic rather than reactive. The England international has been admired internally for several seasons, not just for his defensive consistency but for his leadership, calmness in possession and ability to play in a high line. At 25, he would arrive at his peak years, aligning perfectly with the club’s broader squad-building philosophy.
However, the competition will be fierce. Alongside City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and even Real Madrid are all monitoring the situation closely. A free transfer for a proven Premier League and international centre-back is the kind of opportunity that rarely goes unnoticed at the elite level, meaning Arsenal would need to move decisively and present a clear sporting project.
On paper, Arsenal are already well stocked at centre-back, but squad evolution could open the door. If Myles Lewis-Skelly is transitioned fully into midfield, or potentially loaned out to accelerate his development, it would help rebalance the defensive group. That scenario would allow Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori to focus primarily on left-back duties, creating space centrally for Guehi to enter the rotation.
A centre-back group featuring Guehi alongside Gabriel, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera would give Arsenal genuine elite-level depth. That kind of rotation is essential for competing across the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, particularly as fixture congestion continues to intensify.
The player is thought to be keen to stay in London, so despite perhaps tougher competition at The Emirates compared to other options, Arsenal still appears to be a real option for Guehi in the summer.
Securing Marc Guehi on a free would be a statement of intent and a real coup, given his market value is 55million euros. While the battle will be competitive, Arsenal’s stability, clear tactical identity and pathway to major honours could yet prove decisive in convincing one of England’s top defenders that north London is the right next step.