ARSENAL are in the chase for Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi — but the bidding war will not start until the summer.

The Gunners are huge admirers of Guehi but know the centre-back, who cost £18million, is not on the market for the time being.

Marc Guehi could fetch a big fee in the summer

That suits boss Mikel Arteta, who has a settled back line but sees Guehi as part of his long-term plans and is both willing and happy to wait, with the auction likely to be at the end of the season.

Palace will demand a huge fee for the 23-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United — and even a return to Chelsea, where he came through the academy.

City are in the market for a top centre-back and could even try their luck in January but the real bidding war is anticipated to be in the summer.

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Both United and Chelsea are going to be looking at Guehi down the line.

And the Eagles are relaxed because they know the big guns will come armed with a massive offer.

Guehi will bring diversity to the Arsenal backline, a left centre-back and he is right-footed which is something Arsenal don’t have at the moment. Continuing to create competition for Gabriel Magalhaes. Only Guehi has reasonable price, quality, diversity, proven in the Premier League and especially Arsenal can touch it.

Chelsea have a deal where they can match any bid and that makes them serious players but if the money goes too high they are unlikely to.

Palace could receive a club record fee for the defender as his price tag is likely to eclipse Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s £50million move to Old Trafford.

Guehi has made 91 appearances for the South London club since joining two years ago.

Tottenham have also been linked to Guehi and would love the chance to pip their rivals to his signature.

However Arsenal have proved their pulling power in recent months after beating City to another England star, Declan Rice.