Manchester United have suffered a huge blow in their pursuit of the 23-year-old Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
According to a report by Football Insider, Manchester United are keen on having Marc Guehi in their ranks. The 23-year-old centre-back has been doing wonders for Crystal Palace, and he has been on the radar of the Red Devils of late. But they are unlikely to secure his services in the winter transfer window.
Guehi came through the ranks at Chelsea, and he made it to their first-team squad in the winter of 2020. The England international did not really have much game time in the initial years after getting promoted to their first team. And, he was subject to loan spells at Swansea City.
After failing to establish himself in the Chelsea first team, he joined Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021 for a reported fee of £20 million. The 23-year-old, currently on £50,000-a-week wages, has since gone from strength to strength and has been in exceptional form of late.
In the ongoing season, he has featured in a total of nine games and has been a rock in the heart of the defence. His impressive performances have attracted the attention of Manchester United. The Red Devils have struggled in the 2023/24 season and one of the major reasons has been numerous injuries to key players in the back line.
Both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have already picked up injuries in the new season. As a result, Erik ten Hag is keen on adding a new centre-back to the mix during the winter transfer window. The Dutch manager is quite impressed by the 23-year-old’s performances and would love to have him in his ranks.
But, the report suggests the Eagles are not open to a move in the winter. They will most likely block any potential offer for the England international as he is a key part of their first team. Meanwhile, even the £50,000-a-week defender is keen on staying at the club until the summer of 2024.
He wants regular first-team football and does not want to risk anything as he aims to be a starter for England at the European Championship next summer in Germany. Guehi has been a regular feature in the England team under Gareth Southgate and expects to play a big part at the Euros.
While a move in the winter is unlikely to happen, the Red Devils can secure his services in the summer according to the report. But waiting until the 2024 summer transfer window means other big-name clubs might also join the race to sign him.
