Manchester United are considering a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer.
United are in desperate need of central defenders in the summer transfer window, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans leaving when their contracts expire on July 1. Their departures further exacerbate a problem area which has undermined the campaign, with Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all struggling with injuries.
Central defence is a clear priority position for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new-look INEOS United hierarchy, who will need to sell players first before strengthening, with only around £35million available to spend currently. United are challenging Newcastle for the signature of Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo, who is set to become a free agent, but Guehi is wanted for the left-sided centre-back role.
The Daily Mail reports that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is the top target for that position, but Guehi is being considered as an alternative. Branthwaite enjoyed a stellar 2023/24 campaign with Everton, who may not be tempted by an offer in the region of £55m for the 21-year-old star.
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Guehi, meanwhile, has two years left on his contract with Palace and is valued at around £65m, having joined the club permanently from Chelsea for £18m three years ago. The 23-year-old recently returned from a spell on the sidelines following knee surgery in February and has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training squad ahead of Euro 2024.
After playing friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland, Southgate will have to cut seven players from that initial squad by June 8. Guehi will be up against Branthwaite for a spot in the final 26 for Euro 2024 and is likely to succeed, given he already has nine caps under Southgate, who explained the thinking behind his large squad on Tuesday.
"It's been complicated," he said. "We would have liked to have had a slightly smaller group, and be able to define things a little earlier. But we have got quite a complex injury situation, and we'll be able to make better decisions in a couple of weeks. The other side of that is that's allowed us to put perhaps more young players in who will have brilliant experience, but also can force their way into the reckoning as well."
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Guehi has also been scouted by Arsenal and could become Palace’s record sale if he leaves the club this summer, eclipsing the £55m United paid for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019. With one year left on his deal, United are looking to move on Wan-Bissaka this summer and are willing to use him as a bargaining chip in negotiations.
If they do sell, Palace will need to find a replacement for Guehi given James Tomkins is out of contract on July 1 and Rob Holding is being put up for sale. Palace have previously tried to sign Peterborough’s Ronnie Edwards, but could face competition from West Ham for the 21-year-old star.
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