Dan Ashworth is a fan of Marc Guehi with the Crystal Palace ace one of a number of talented young central defenders on the radar of Premier League giants Manchester United.
After Dan Ashworth showed an interest in the England international in a previous transfer window – Marc Guehi going from strength-to-strength having made the short trip across London from Chelsea to Selhurst Park to the tune of £18 million back in 2021 – do not be surprised to see the occasional-Palace-skipper emerge near the very top of Manchester United’s summer wishlist.
Presuming Ashworth arrives in time to take control by then, of course, Newcastle refusing to budge on their hardline stance over a potentially eye-watering compensation fee for their wantaway technical director.
Dan Ashworth likes Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi
The Telegraph reports that Ashworth, who was appointed by Newcastle back in 2022, was ‘interested’ in bringing Guehi to St James’ Park in the recent past. With centre-halves high on Man United’s list of priorities – and with reports indicating that Ineos will prioritise young, homegrown talent with Premier League experience – Guehi could yet find himself leapfrogging the likes of Goncalo Inacio, Antonio Silva and Giorgio Scalvini.
The former Swansea City ace does, after all, tick all three of those boxes.
Guehi, still only 23, has been a near ever-present when fit over the last three seasons, making nearly 100 top-flight appearances. A natural-born leader, Guehi has captained Palace on a number of occasions too, while also possessing the versatility and the ball-playing talents likely to appeal to Erik ten Hag.
While a right footer by trade, Guehi has blossomed as a left-sided centre-half in South London. As such, his arrival could kill two birds with one stone, with United looking at both right-footed and left-footed defenders.
United eyeing defenders
Reporter Dean Jones recently told Give Me Sport that Palace value Guehi at ‘over £60 million’. That, however, is still likely to be less than Everton will demand for fellow Englishman Jarrad Branthwaite, particularly if Sean Dyche can get The Toffees out of a rather sticky situation at the bottom of the table.
“Marc Guehi just seems to be able to step up at every level he gets asked to step up to,” United icon Rio Ferdinand told Vibe with Five after the Palace number six impressed in England’s draw with Ukraine in September.
“He steps up comfortably.”
Interestingly, Manchester United are also interested in Guehi’s Crystal Palace team-mate Michael Olise. A boyhood United fanatic, it is believed that Olise would choose Ten Hag’s side over Chelsea too.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
