Man Utd Eyes Blockbuster Free Agent Swoop as Maguire Contract Saga Intensifies

Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring Marc Guéhi as the Crystal Palace skipper approaches free agency status next summer, according to recent reports.

The England defender came close to securing a move north during the summer transfer window before his switch to Liverpool fell through on the final day. Guéhi has notified Palace that he won't be renewing his contract that expires on June 30, 2026, though his future club remains undetermined.

Liverpool continue to be among the frontrunners, but a growing collection of competing clubs has emerged alongside the Premier League title holders.

Real Madrid, renowned experts in free transfer acquisitions (especially for central defenders), have shown interest in the 25-year-old, while clubs like Bayern Munich, Juventus and potentially Barcelona could afford the soon-to-be available player.

Manchester United have now joined the race for Guéhi. The Daily Mail indicates the Red Devils are highly interested in securing an England international during his peak years without paying a transfer fee this summer.

The majority of United's summer budget is anticipated to be allocated toward acquiring a new midfielder, with nine-figure price tags mentioned for their primary targets—specifically, Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Guéhi's Palace colleague Adam Wharton.

United's efforts to accumulate the required funds for a high-profile midfield signing are believed to depend on player departures. Casemiro's substantial wages represent one contract that could be removed while Harry Maguire's possible departure has been identified as potentially clearing the path for Guéhi's arrival. However, this wouldn't constitute a direct replacement.

Would Marc Guéhi Be an Upgrade on Harry Maguire?

While Maguire and Guéhi share certain traits as English, right-footed central defenders who favor the left side of defensive partnerships, their differences are substantial. Maguire represents a commanding physical presence who consistently leverages his exceptional size and strength—qualities that Ruben Amorim particularly appreciates.

United's Portuguese manager highly values his center-back's dominance in the air. "He's the only guy who can score a goal with his head!" Amorim remarked with partial jest recently. Guéhi, in contrast, has never netted a Premier League header (missing 39 attempts so far) and has managed just one aerial goal throughout his professional career.

Guéhi excels with the ball at his feet. Standing five inches shorter than his countryman at 5'11", Palace's captain serves as his team's primary distribution point from defense, topping the squad this season in passes to the final third, progressive passes and overall passing volume. While Maguire's technical skills aren't poor, they're not his strongest attribute.

Whether Amorim prioritizes Maguire's physical dominance over Guéhi's passing expertise remains a decision only the Portuguese manager can make—and one he may need to address in the near future.

* Data via FBref and averaged per 90 minutes over the past 365 days.