Arsenal set for £25m ‘discount’ on Marc Guehi transfer deal after huge agreement reached

Arsenal are reportedly ready to launch an opening bid for Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi that could see them be set for a huge ‘discount’ on the signing.

The Gunners have been in the process of improving their defence for the majority of the summer transfer window. Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori has been their priority target, but the deal has progressed slower than Mikel Arteta would have wanted.

An agreement was finally reached to sign the 22-year-old this weekend, which would see Arsenal pay almost £40million. Personal terms are not thought to be a problem, and the Italy international is expected to sign a five-year contract.

Despite the breakthrough in the deal to sign Calafiori, the Gunners have been linked with Guehi. The England star is wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool after he was one of, if not the, best players for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.

Palace have slapped a £70m price tag on the former-Chelsea defender’s head, and it’s thought that Mikel Arteta’s men are exploring ways to negotiate that figure down. One way that could happen could see them secure a discount on any potential deal.

According to the Sunday Star – via The Daily Express – the Gunners are considering offering Eddie Nketiah as part of a cash-plus player deal that would see the striker move to south London. Palace have been linked with the 25-year-old in the past and have been touted as one of the suitors to hand him regular minutes.

Nketiah has been the subject of interest from French side Marseille. As per reports, Arsenal have entered talks over a potential transfer after an opening offer was made. Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has revealed that the striker is keen on a move to the Stade Velodrome.

Fresh off appointing Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille have already signed Mason Greenwood from Manchester United for £26.6m and are closing in on the signing of Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. With Nketiah also a homegrown academy star, sporting director Edu will undoubtedly be pushing to receive a sizeable fee, preferably higher than what Marseille paid for Greenwood.

Despite interest from France, Arsenal seem to be keeping all options open. Using Nketiah in a deal to bring Guehi to the Emirates Stadium would lower the fee that face paying, but an exit to Marseille could see them bank close to £30m.

Last summer, the Gunners secured over £30m for Folarin Balogun after an impressive loan spell. Their record sale is still the £40m Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nearly seven years ago.