Tottenham Hotspur receive Marc Guehi lifeline after David Ornstein update
Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of England international Marc Guehi may have just received a timely boost, thanks to a significant update from The Athletic’s trusted transfer insider, David Ornstein. With the summer transfer window heating up, Spurs have intensified their search for a top-quality centre-back—and Guehi remains firmly on their radar.
While new Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has inherited a squad with several central defensive options, the club is actively working behind the scenes to strengthen the heart of their defence. It’s become increasingly evident that Spurs are not content to stand still, especially with ambitions of returning to the Champions League. According to recent reports, they’ve tabled a significant offer of €70 million (£60.6m) for Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi—highlighting just how seriously they’re taking this window. But Zabarnyi is far from the only Premier League defender they’re targeting.
Fresh insight from The Telegraph indicates that Spurs are still keenly interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a player who has just 12 months remaining on his current contract at Selhurst Park. While earlier in the summer Tottenham’s interest seemed to have cooled due to Liverpool’s strong positioning in the race, the situation appears to have shifted.
Liverpool Cool Interest in Guehi, Spurs Opportunity Grows
At one point, Liverpool looked to be leading the chase for Guehi’s signature. Their need for a reliable centre-half grew urgent, especially with Jarell Quansah set to leave on loan. Guehi, as a proven Premier League performer and an England international, seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
However, in a recent update via The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet, David Ornstein reported that Liverpool are now hesitant to splash the cash on Guehi. The Reds are reportedly unwilling to meet Crystal Palace’s asking price, given the player’s contract situation. As Ornstein explained:
> “Liverpool need to recruit a new centre-half with the imminent exit of Quansah and are looking at many candidates. As reported last week, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is a player under consideration, but with just one year remaining on his contract, Liverpool will only firm up their interest if the price is right. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is admired but is likely to be too expensive, so sporting director Richard Hughes is looking at other young centre-halves.”
This development potentially clears the path for Tottenham to take pole position in the race for Guehi’s services. Without serious competition from Liverpool, Spurs may now have a clearer shot at securing the Palace defender—if they can convince both club and player.
How Much Would Marc Guehi Cost Tottenham?
One of the biggest questions surrounding this potential transfer is how much Guehi would command in the current market. Spurs have previously shown serious intent to bring him to north London. Back in the January transfer window, multiple sources reported that Tottenham submitted a £70 million bid for the former Chelsea academy product.
However, with Guehi having declined to sign a contract extension at Palace, his value could have dropped. Reports now suggest that a deal could be struck for a figure closer to £50 million—still a hefty sum, but more palatable given the player’s contract is nearing expiry.
Despite Tottenham’s clear willingness to spend, there remains uncertainty over Guehi’s stance on a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. According to The Times, the 24-year-old rejected Spurs’ approach earlier this summer, raising doubts about whether he sees N17 as the right next step in his career.
What Comes Next?
With Liverpool backing away and Crystal Palace facing pressure to sell due to Guehi’s contract situation, Tottenham are in a strong negotiating position. However, they will need to move decisively. Other Premier League clubs and European giants could enter the fray if Guehi’s price becomes more attractive, and any delay from Spurs might allow another suitor to swoop in.
As it stands, Guehi remains a priority target, and Tottenham’s ongoing willingness to spend big on defensive reinforcements signals that this saga is far from over. Whether or not they can finally convince the player—and Crystal Palace—to make the deal happen may now hinge on personal terms and Spurs’ ability to project a clear sporting vision under their new head coach.
For now, all eyes remain on north London as Tottenham weigh up their next move in what could be one of the defining transfer battles of the summer.