Arteta and Maresca could go head to headArteta and Maresca could go head to head
Arteta and Maresca could go head to head | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be considering a move for a reported Chelsea transfer target this summer.
Arsenal are said to be considering battling Chelsea for a defender this month. The Gunners need a number of new players this summer, but they did not make use of the 10-day early transfer window.
That window has now closed and Arsenal have not yet begun their summer business. Although, with the Gunners not involved in the FIFA Club World Cup, there is no need for them to rush into deals. They are likely to do deals across the coming weeks, even while the window is closed, with the deals becoming official when the window opens
Arsenal need reinforcements, with a starting striker and winger required this summer, while Mikel Arteta could also do with depth at a number of positions, including at centre-back. Jakub Kiwior appears to face an uncertain future, with the Poland international having struggled for game time throughout the campaign.
Kiwior did get some more minutes towards the end of the season when he replaced the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, but as he looks ahead to a future when Gabriel and William Saliba are fit, Kiwior knows he will struggle to be a regular, and he could well push to leave as a result.
Arsenal are said to be eyeing a centre-back this summer, and according to The Athletic,Crystal palace star Marc Guehi is now of interest. The defender is heading into the last year of his contract with Palace, and it’s likely he will move on to pastures new this summer if the Eagles can’t convince him to pen a new deal.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move, with Guehi having come through at Stamford Bridge, and Enzo Maresca does need a new centre-back. Guehi was close to a move last summer when Newcastle United and Tottenham made approaches, but despite offers of £70million, Palace held strong and demanded £75million - which they were never offered.
Palace’s position has been strengthened this summer by them qualifying for next season’s Europa League, but Guehi’s contract situation means they may be forced into a deal. Arsenal are said to be considering a deal at this stage.
Chelsea hold the upper-hand
Even if Arsenal do push ahead, it’s likely Chelsea will hold the upper-hand if they make a move. Not only is Guehi familiar with the Blues, but he would walk into a starting role at Stamford Bridge, likely to play ahead of Trevoh Chalobah, while Wesley Fofana is coming off the back of a season out with injury.
At Arsenal, Guehi knows he would be replacing Kiwior as the number three centre-back, sitting behind Saliba and Gabriel. Even if he stays where he is, the England international would be a starter at a club playing Europa League football.
The 24-year-old could well turn his nose up at Arsenal for those reasons, and it’s a factor the Gunners will have to consider as they search for a number three centre-back this summer. They must find a defender who is able to challenge Gabriel and Saliba but ultimately accept their position as being a back-up player. That’s not easy to find.
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