Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according The Sun.
The north Londoners' Premier League title charge has taken a huge setback in recent weeks, with Manchester City now in the driving seat to clinch their fifth league title in six years. Part of the Gunners' collapse has been down to the absence of defensive stalwart William Saliba, who suffered a lower back injury last month against Sporting CP in the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta's side had conceded just 25 times in 27 league games with Saliba starting, a stark contrast to the 13 they have shipped in the six games without the French international. Rob Holding has replaced the 22-year-old and the former Bolton man has struggled to replicate the form of his predecessor, clearly not possessing the same strengths on the ball whilst also much slower than the young central defender.
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Now, it is claimed that Arsenal admire Palace centre-back Guehi as a potential target for the summer window as Arteta looks to bolster his defensive options. The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the best young defender in the English top-flight since joining the Eagles from Chelsea two years ago.
Former Palace boss Patrick Vieira previously claimed that Guehi will one day represent England at a major tournament after the talented centre-back missed out on The Three Lions' squad for the World Cup last year. “When you look at his performances for us in the year-and-a-half I’ve been here, it’s been really consistent and good," Vieira said when asked about Guehi's omission from Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.
"He just has to keep working like that and he will get a time to play in a World Cup and get a chance to represent his country. Marc will wish England the very best, no doubt about that. He knows what he has to do to have a chance to go to the international level.
"Working with him and knowing him really well, I have no doubts he’ll represent his country (at a major tournament) in the near future. It’s just a question of time."
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