£50m Arsenal transfer target who Patrick Vieira loves is 'an incredible leader'

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up England ace Marc Guehi, with one ex-Gunners legend having already given his seal of approval.

Guehi was the unlikely hero from the Three Lions’ Group C opener against Serbia, as the Crystal Palace gem served up an impressive performance.

Across the 90 minutes in Gelsenkirchen, Guehi completed 51 of his 53 attempted passes, won 100% of his tackles and registered three clearances.

A commanding showing from the 23-year-old, who is attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest names.

Both Newcastle United and last season’s runner-up Arsenal are interested in the promising defender, as per Caught Offside.

Any attempts to lure him away from Selhurst Park will likely be met by Palace resistance, not least because Guehi is under contract until the summer of 2026, with the south Londoners slapping a £50million price tag on his shoulders.

But according to ex-Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira, Guehi is a player destined to make it to the top level.

Having pushed the boat out to secure Guehi’s signature when he was Palace manager, Vieira spoke highly of his former player in 2022, commenting: “He’s an ambitious player who wants the best for himself and wants to represent his country. He’s been working well, really hard.

“When you look at his performances for us in the year-and-a-half I’ve been here, it’s been really consistent and good.

“He just has to keep working like that and he will get a time to play in a World Cup and get a chance to represent his country.”

A prophecy that has already come true, Guehi’s performances for England at this summer’s Euros will likely intensify already existing interest in the centre-back.

And it isn’t just the former Eagles manager waxing lyrical about him, with England and Palace team-mate Eberechi Eze also sharing his praise.

On the Chelsea academy product, Eze said: “He’s an incredible player, an incredible person

“He’s just ready. You can see it in the way he plays, in the way he carries himself.

“He’s a leader. And for someone his age, he’s extremely mature. I have no questions about him, I know he’s capable to do whatever he’s called upon to do.”

It’s those qualities which could prove tempting for Arsenal, if they wish to spring a move for Guehi.

Already boasting a talented – but crucially young – squad, adding another fresh home-grown face into the mix may elevate Mikel Arteta’s side and take them even closer to loosening Manchester City’s tight grip on the Premier League title.