“He’ll be going to Spurs”: Player tipped to join Tottenham instead of Barcelona or Real Madrid
Marc Guehi’s time at Crystal Palace could soon be coming to an end, with mounting reports suggesting the highly-rated centre-back is edging closer to a move away from Selhurst Park. The 24-year-old England international has become one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League, and Tottenham Hotspur appear to be leading the race for his signature this summer.
According to Football Insider’s Keith Wyness, Guehi is not expected to join either of Spain’s traditional powerhouses, Real Madrid or Barcelona, despite having previously been mentioned as a potential target for both La Liga giants. Instead, the trajectory of his career is more likely to keep him in the Premier League, with Tottenham now considered the favourites to snap him up.
Sources suggest Spurs are preparing an offer that would involve a combination of cash and a player heading to Palace in return. While the identity of the player involved remains unclear, it reflects Tottenham’s intent to be both strategic and aggressive in their pursuit of top defensive reinforcements ahead of a crucial 2025/26 campaign.
The timing of this pursuit is significant. Tottenham recently secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, a major milestone in the Ange Postecoglou era and one that puts them back in contention for Europe’s top talents. Their return to Europe’s elite competition is expected to be a major selling point for prospective signings, and for a player like Guehi — who has Champions League aspirations and a strong desire to compete for silverware — this move could represent the perfect next step.
Guehi has enjoyed an outstanding spell at Crystal Palace since arriving from Chelsea in 2021. Over the past three seasons, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and composed defenders. His positional intelligence, tackling accuracy, ability to read the game, and leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed. He has not only become a key figure in Palace’s backline but also earned regular call-ups to the England national team, where he continues to impress under Gareth Southgate.
This past season, Guehi played a crucial role in Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph, further enhancing his profile. His performances have drawn praise for their maturity and reliability, and he is now widely regarded as a defender ready to compete at the highest level. A move to Tottenham, therefore, could be seen as a logical and timely progression in his career.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are actively seeking to strengthen their defensive options. While Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero formed a strong partnership in parts of the previous season, injuries and inconsistent squad depth often left Spurs exposed at the back. With reports suggesting that Romero could be the subject of interest from top European clubs, Spurs are keen to plan ahead — and they see Guehi as an ideal long-term successor or complementary figure in the backline.
At just 24, Guehi already has considerable top-flight experience and is entering what many would consider the prime years of his career. He offers the perfect blend of youth and experience, with a high ceiling for development. For Tottenham, a player of his calibre fits perfectly into the club’s vision of building a dynamic, forward-thinking squad capable of challenging for major honours under Postecoglou.
From Guehi’s perspective, the move also makes a great deal of sense. Tottenham can offer him something Crystal Palace simply cannot at this moment — the opportunity to play Champions League football, compete for silverware on multiple fronts, and test himself against some of the best clubs in Europe. With Spurs also showing signs of steady progress under their new manager and attracting interest from other top-tier players, it is a project that would appeal to any ambitious young footballer looking to make a name on a bigger stage.
Moreover, Crystal Palace may find themselves with little choice but to sanction his sale. Guehi is expected to enter the final year of his contract soon, and Palace will be wary of the possibility of losing one of their most valuable assets for free next summer. They are under mounting pressure to cash in now while his market value remains high, especially given the financial implications of potentially missing out on a transfer fee altogether if he decides not to renew.
With Tottenham preparing to move swiftly in the transfer market and eager to finalise deals before pre-season begins, the coming weeks could be decisive. Talks are expected to continue as Spurs look to iron out the details of the proposed cash-plus-player offer, and there is growing optimism in north London that a deal can be struck.
Ultimately, this transfer could benefit all parties. Tottenham would secure a top-tier centre-back to solidify their defence for years to come, Guehi would get the opportunity to take the next big step in his promising career, and Crystal Palace would be compensated adequately for their star player before his contract winds down.
As the summer transfer window edges closer to full swing, all eyes will be on how this situation develops. Should Tottenham manage to get the deal over the line, it would be a significant statement of intent — not only addressing a key area of need but also sending a clear message that they are ready to compete at the highest level once again.