Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have been joined by Serie A heavyweights Inter in the race to sign Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace star, who will leave the club as a free agent next summer, could arrive at San Siro in January in a surprise transfer exchange, which would see Inter's Yann Bisseck move the other way.
Guehi set to join one of Europe's top clubs next year
Guehi has already confirmed his desire to leave Crystal Palace. The only uncertainty is whether he will depart in January or leave as a free agent at the end of the season. Over the summer, there was an agreement in place between Palace and Liverpool for the transfer of Guehi. Surprisingly, the €40 million (£35m/$47m) move collapsed on deadline day after the Eagles failed to find a suitable replacement.
The Reds, though, haven't given up on their pursuit of the rock-solid English defender. But they aren't the only side to have shown an interest in acquiring Guehi's signature. Indeed, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are keen on signing the Palace captain.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportInter enter the fray for Guehi
According to a report from , the European giants have been joined by Inter in the race to land the coveted signature of Guehi. The Nerazzurri are planning to propose a January transfer exchange involving Yann Bisseck. The Koln-born defender was reportedly already approached by Palace in the summer, tabling a €35 million (£30m/$41m) offer for the 24-year-old's services. Both the club and the player rejected the proposal, with Bisseck opting to continue at Inter after making 46 appearances last season.
Bisseck the trump card Inter could use to sign Guehi
The loan arrival of Manuel Akanji from Manchester City has changed the situation to a great extent. With Bisseck now further down the pecking order under Cristian Chivu, Palace could reignite their pursuit of the German international in January. Inter would not reject such an offer this time around. Instead, they are planning to use Bisseck in a straightforward swap deal in a bid to lure Guehi.
The move makes sense financially and sportingly for all parties, as Palace fear losing Guehi for free, Bisseck fears losing out on game time and thus a chance of a spot in Germany's squad for next year's World Cup, and Inter fear having a lack of adequate depth in defence.
AFPGuehi not the only name on Inter's mind
Inter continue to monitor defensive prospects, with Ecuadorian prospect Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge among the names linked. Also on Inter’s radar are Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis and Serie A-based targets: Udinese’s Oumar Solet, Lazio’s Mario Gila, who is also being eyed by rivals AC Milan, and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.
