Chelsea set for windfall after Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal transfer demand

Arsenal are keeping tabs on a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi next summer – with Chelsea entitled to 25 per cent of any transfer.

Guehi joined Palace in an £18million move in 2021 after 18 months on loan at Swansea from Chelsea. He has impressed in his two seasons at Selhurst Park and subsequently become part of the senior setup for the England national team.

The central defender spent 14 years on the books of the Blues and the club negotiated a 25 per cent sell-on clause when transferring him to Palace. That may well net them upwards of £13million in the coming seasons with a growing number of clubs monitoring a future move.

The Gunners are credited with the biggest interest with the Sun outlining they are considering a move for the defender next summer. The defender is likely to command a transfer fee upwards of £55m, with Palace wary they will not be entitled to a chunk of that.

Manchester City and Manchester United are two other clubs who are admirers of the defender, although it is believed that Arteta is driving Arsenal’s interest – and they are in the lead for any future move as things stand. The Gunners are keen to find a long-term central defensive partner for William Saliba in the heart of their backline.

Palace boss Roy Hodgson lauded Guehi at the end of last campaign and tipped him as a possible future England captain: “It would not surprise me, with the guy’s quality. But let’s just let him play football first and continue being a top, top Premier League player at Crystal Palace. Lets see how long that lasts. Lets see when his first England matches take place and go on from there.

“His maturity has impressed me. It did when he was (on loan) at Swansea and we were hoping we could sign him. Doug