Arsenal are facing a challenge in the transfer market, as Manchester City look set to scupper a plan laid out by the club by making a proposal to one reported transfer target.
11:12, 16 Jan 2026Updated 11:38, 16 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain
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Mikel Arteta has been handed a potential twist in the transfer market(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Arsenal have been handed a potentially huge twist in the transfer market, as Premier League title rivals Manchester City have made a move for transfer target Marc Guehi. That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that an approach has been made in the past 12 hours to land the Crystal Palace star.
He claims that an "important proposal" has been made to the centre-back regarding a possible contract, while they are lining up talks with the Eagles over a move. Guehi has just six months remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, which has made him a target for plenty of teams.
That includes Arsenal, with reports recently claiming that the north London club are keeping their eye on a potential move in the summer. However, the approach from Man City puts pressure on the Gunners to potentially respond or risk losing out to a title rival mid-season.
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Pep Guardiola's side have already spent on improving the squad during the January transfer window, sealing a deal for Antoine Semenyo worth roughly £62.5m. The former Bournemouth man has plenty of experience in the Premier League, becoming a regular for the Cherries with goals from both his left and right feet.
While he has hit the ground running, there is some catching up for City to do, as they sit six points behind Arsenal just over the halfway stage of the domestic season. Problems in Guardiola's backline have appeared with injuries to key stars such as Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Guehi could well solve that, depending on whether an agreement can be reached for the Crystal Palace captain, who has previously been valued at around the £40m mark. Arsenal's own interest comes at a time when the backline is actually well-stocked with plenty of talent.
While there were exits for Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior over the summer, the arrival of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie has added extra depth. That has been needed at times, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes both having their own spell on the sidelines through injury.
Given that quality, it remained to be seen how likely Guehi would be to choose Arsenal over some of their rivals, who can guarantee a starting spot. While Man City are seemingly in pole position to land a deal in January, the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid have all been credited with interest too.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa
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Marc Guehi has been linked with a transfer to Arsenal(Image: (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))
It's clear that Guehi has been a key player for Crystal Palace in recent seasons, but that won't stop the team from potentially selling him, if the price is deemed acceptable. "I'm not naive," said Glasner earlier this month about the situation surrounding his club captain.
"If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen." Glasner then added: "If you're just valuing sports, everyone in the club will say Marc has to stay. The chairman will tell you the same. But it's not one-dimensional. If you see the financial situation, it's very important.
"If somebody comes, there will be a moment when the club says 'now the financial issue is more important than the sports issue'. There will be a threshold where the club has to say it will happen - as long as Marc says 'I want to leave', because the final decision is always with the player."
The ball may well be in the court of Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta now, as to whether they can make their own move the January. The Arsenal boss admitted earlier this month that his side would be active if the right opportunities were to arrive in the transfer market.
"Let's see what happens, in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks," said Arteta. "But we are actively looking at options. As well, there are a few players that, maybe, they have to leave as well. So, we will be open to see what happens."
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