ARSENAL have joined the transfer race to sign defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Guehi, who is out of contract in the summer, is also being courted by the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, although Manchester City are favourites should they push for a January move.
The 25-year-old centre-back was spotted speaking to Gunners stars following Palace’s Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat on penalties at the Emirates Stadium.
After Arsenal triumphed 8-7 on penalties, he was surrounded by Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly in deep discussion.
However, should Guehi decide to stay in London, a move to Arsenal is unlikely to materialise in January.
The Premier League leaders signed Hincapie on a season-long loan with a £45million buy option that will be triggered in summer.
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Mikel Arteta’s side do not have much to spend this window, and are more interested in acquiring Guehi on a free transfer in the summer.
Arsenal have scouted the Palace defender in the past as a potential replacement for star centre-back William Saliba, who was considering a switch to Real Madrid.
But with Saliba settled in North London, Guehi might fancy his chances elsewhere where he is more likely to be a guaranteed starter.
Manchester City are the only club willing to pay a fee to sign Guehi in January, following injuries to starting defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
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But it will take a huge offer for City to persuade Palace, although Liverpool had a bid of £40m, including add-ons, accepted last summer but failed to get the deal over the line on deadline day.
Palace will have to weigh up the potential value of keeping Guehi, with the club still competing in three major tournaments — Premier League, Conference League and FA Cup.
Liverpool remain interested and Bayern’s ambitions for Guehi are strong, with manager Vincent Kompany a huge fan and England team-mate Harry Kane potentially acting as a facilitator.
Ultimately, a serious January offer from City could decide Guehi’s fate.
