Man United eye £60m Guehi as stance on Jan deal emerges - Column

By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

20th Oct, 2023 | 6:00pm

Pete O'Rourke column: Man United eye £60m Guehi deal, Aston Villa target goal machine, West Ham priority January signing revealed

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MAN UNITED

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is a name on the list of Old Trafford transfer chiefs, I’m told.

Several other Premier League sides are also keen on the 23-year-old after his outstanding form for Palace since joining in 2021.

Man United are very much in the market for a centre-back after injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane already this season.

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However, I’m told it will be a hard deal to do in January – with Guehi quite happy to stay at Palace until the summer.

Sources say he wants guaranteed first-team football prior to the European Championships in Germany next year.

The centre-back is now a regular feature for England.

I’m told Guehi could cost around £60million next summer when he will have two years left to run on his current contract.

He is a left-sided centre-back which makes him a valuable commodity in the market and his long-term deal means Palace can ask for a mega-money price.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

Guehi is under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2026.

Palace are well aware of the interest in his services and are braced for offers, including from Man City, in the coming transfer windows.

I’m told they will approach Guehi about a potential new deal to gauge his interest in remaining an Eagles player.

However, sources have said there is no rush to find an agreement with the England international – but Palace would love to end the speculation with a new contract.

Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze is out of contract at Selhurst Park in June 2025.

Man City targetted him in the summer, and continue to monitor his situation – alongside a host of other top Premier League sides.

Palace value him at around £70million and are very keen to tie him down to a new deal.

Tyrick Mitchell is also out of contract in June 2025.

He has played every minute of every league game for Palace this season and clubs are now monitoring his situation as his contract winds down.

I’m told he is seen by elite Premier League sides as a young player with huge potential.

Sources say Palace are now working hard to come forward with an offer to tie him down and end that interest.

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NORWICH CITY

Forward Jonathan Rowe is attracting interest from Premier League sides including Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

He scored on his debut for England’s Under-21’s against Serbia last week, with that call-up coming after seven goals in 13 appearances for Norwich so far this season.

I’m told top-flight sides see Rowe as a player with huge potential and as a possible star in the making that they could help develop.

Norwich could face a fight to keep the 20-year-old, who is out of contract in June 2025.

Sources say they won’t entertain any offers in the January window, but could lose him in the summer of 2024 if they are not promoted back to the Premier League.

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ASTON VILLA

Leon Bailey will have just 18 months left to run on his Villa deal in January.

He has had a decent start to the new campaign, but I’m told Unai Emery is wary of potential injury problems with the winger.

Sources say Villa are considering offering Bailey a new deal, while other clubs are monitoring his situation in case the Midlands giants decide against keeping the 26-year-old.

He has fallen short of expectations since arriving in 2021, but if he continues to play regularly for Emery’s side this season – he is likely to be offered renewed terms.

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WEST HAM

David Moyes remains keen to sign another centre-back in the January transfer window, I’m told.

Harry Maguire has once again been linked with a London Stadium switch, but that deal will be difficult to do as he is happy to stay at Man United even with limited game time.

West Ham will, however, be at the front of the queue if he changes his mind on leaving.

Despite West Ham being in pole position, I’m told it will likely be a loan if a deal is to happen in January – with the Irons unable to afford another big-money deal and his wages of around £200,000-a-week.

Potential exits for Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, who have been linked with Saudi Pro League sides, could force West Ham into the market.

I’m told Moyes would be desperate to replace either player if they are to leave.

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