Arsenal monitoring Crystal Palace defender ahead of the summer transfer window

Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Mail are reporting that the Gunners want a centre-back due to concerns over William Saliba’s long-term fitness. Rob Holding’s contract is also up next year.

England international Guehi has made 78 appearances for the Eagles since joining on a five-year contract from Chelsea in 2021.

The Blues have the option to match any potential bid that the South Londoners should accept for Guehi in the future.

The 22-year-old defender has also attracted interest from Arsenal’s bitter rivals Spurs.

“His maturity has impressed me,” Palace boss Roy Hodgson said of Guehi.

“It did when he was (on loan) at Swansea and we were hoping we could sign him. Doug (Freedman) and I were watching him. He’s an intelligent player who thinks a lot about his game.

“He is anxious to become better all the time. He’s not satisfied with making the leap he has made since leaving Chelsea. He wants more than that. That’s a big positive that speaks in his favour.

“Just in general terms he looks like a centre-back who has got a lot of qualities – he’s got pace, he understands and likes to defend. 

“He is good on the ball. If you’re ticking boxes of what I like my centre-back to look like, he ticks so many boxes. Now it is up to him, with the help he’ll get from the guys around him, to keep building on that.

“His first couple of seasons at Crystal Palace have been a massive success.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD