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Tottenham Hotspur are the prime contenders to sign Crystal Palace center back Marc Guehi this summer according to the most recent reports.
Guehi was sold to the Eagles for £20.5 million in the summer of 2021 after failing to make the Chelsea first squad. He has since established himself at Selhurst Park.
The 22-year-old has recorded four goals and one assist in 72 appearances for the Eagles, including 27 Premier League starts in 2022-23.
Patrick Vieira, who was recently fired after a 12-game winless streak, entrusted Guehi with the captain’s armband eight times this season despite the youngster’s youth.
The Eagles have the central defender under contract until the summer of 2026, and he should continue to play a significant role under the return of manager Roy Hodgson until the end of the season.
Palace Relegation Will Likely See Guehi Departure
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But, if Palace are relegated from the Premier League, it is unlikely that they will retain his services, and according to Football Insider, Spurs have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature.
The Whites were unable to sign a new permanent center-back during the summer of 2018, but defensive reinforcements will likely be a priority for the club ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Guehi matches Tottenham’s need for a left-sided central defender, given the club’s rumored decision not to convert Clement Lenglet’s loan from Barcelona into a permanent transfer.
Palace might want at least £50 million and up to £60 million to part ways with the England international if they remain in the premier division.
Nevertheless, the Eagles recognize that they would be compelled to sell for a cheaper price if they finish in the bottom two.
Tottenham Prioritizing Guehi Signing Ahead of Summer
While Manchester United and Manchester City continue to monitor the situation, both clubs are rumored to be merely considering Guehi as a backup option to their primary defensive targets, giving Tottenham a free run at the 22-year-old.
Guehi was on the books at Chelsea for 14 years between 2007 and 2021, however he made only two senior appearances for the Blues and spent 18 months on loan at Swansea City between 2020 and 2021.
The young defender would be signed in the hopes of solidifying the Spurs defense, which has conceded 40 Premier League goals in 28 games this season.
Conte’s Recent Departure from Spurs
Antonio Conte, who departed Tottenham by mutual consent on Sunday evening, will not be in charge of any defensive additions during the summer transfer window.
The Italian left on a sour note, having criticized his players for squandering a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with Southampton just prior to the international break.
However, Conte’s old lieutenant Cristian Stellini has been placed in interim command until the conclusion of the season, with Ryan Mason serving as assistant head coach.
On April 3, Tottenham will travel to Everton for Stellini’s first game as interim manager.
Fourth-place Tottenham are only two points ahead of Newcastle United despite having played two more games, so Spurs’ new management team will be under big pressure to go on a positive run before the season closes.
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