Arsenal rivals Manchester United for an English defender

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester United are both alert as reports indicate that Crystal Palace’s English defender Marc Guehi will refuse to sign a contract extension at Selhurst Park.

The 23-year-old defender is one of England’s top performers at the ongoing Euros in Germany despite a collective poor performance from the Three Lions, irrespective of the fact that they are on the brink of a second successive Euro finals.

Gareth Southgate’s men face The Netherlands on Wednesday, with Guehi set to return to the squad after missing the quarterfinal win over Switzerland due to accumulated cards. Prior to that, he was ever-present for the English side in the competition.

Crystal Palace really want to keep their prized asset for another season and get him to sign a contract extension, especially after losing Michael Oliseh, who joined Bayern Munich last week. However, the player is already looking beyond Crystal Palace and looking to make the next career move rather than sign an extension.

The two suitors, Manchester United and Arsenal, are ideal destinations for the defender, and Crystal Palace could be forced to sell. Manchester United is convinced about the abilities of the player who has been featured as left back and center-back for Southgate despite being right-footed.

The Red Devils had their eyes on Jarrad Branthwaite, whom they even reached a personal agreement with, only to have the deal blocked by Everton. With the player still having three more years on his contract, it is evident that the Toffees would not reduce their £80 million price tag.

Crystal Palace values Guehi at around £60M, which will surpass the club’s record sale of £50 M for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move to Manchester United in 2019.

Now that Arsenal is closing in on signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, it may tilt Marc Guehi’s situation in Manchester United’s favor, although reports say Mikel Arteta intends to play the defender in an entirely new position.