Man Utd target shines on Euro 2024 transfer audition

Cameron Smith

• 17 Jun 2024 10:20 BST
• 4 min read

Clubs frequently use major international tournaments as a final barometer to decide whether or not to sign a key transfer target.

Euro 2024 will be no different and the opening group stage games have seen a number of impressive performers put themselves in the shop window for a potential summer move.

Riccardo Calafiori’s display during Italy’s win over Albania has intensified links of a Bologna exit, while Wout Weghorst proved his quality once again for the Netherlands as a permanent Burnley departure beckons.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

On Sunday night, it was Marc Guehi’s time to shine.

The Crystal Palace defender has been a mainstay in the England squad since the 2022 World Cup, but he has played second fiddle to John Stones and Harry Maguire for the entirety of his international career so far.

Heading into Euro 2024, Guehi was expected to be Gareth Southgate’s third-choice centre-back yet again, but Maguire’s ill-timed injury ensured he wasn’t selected in England’s final 26-man squad.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

As a result, Guehi started the Three Lions’ group stage opener against Serbia and his performance was top notch - alleviating any concerns over his ability to replace Maguire.

The Manchester United man has been a stalwart for England over the past few years and his aerial prowess has been crucial to Southgate’s side. Guehi is far less aerially dominant than Maguire and faced against Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic, this was a huge concern.

However, Guehi performed admirably in Gelsenkirchen and was arguably England’s second best player on the night, behind match winner Jude Bellingham.

The Crystal Palace defender frequently broke the lines with incisive passing from the back, while he maintained a 96.2% pass accuracy - the best of any England starter.

His defensive work was also excellent. Guehi handled Serbia’s forward line brilliantly and played a key role in only allowing Dragan Stojkovic’s side to generate 0.18 xG.

When asked about Guehi by ITV Sport, the aforementioned Bellingham was eager to praise the England defender. “[He was] brilliant. He picked the lines amazingly,” he said.

“He played against two, for me, really good centre-forwards at this level, [Dusan] Vlahovic and [Aleksandar] Mitrovic, I think, two really, really tricky customers and he was unbelievable.

“It helps a lot when you have [John] Stonesy beside him, one of the best around but yeah, I thought he was fantastic.”

Marc Guehi to leave Crystal Palace?

There were legitimate concerns over whether Guehi would be able to replicate Maguire’s presence in England’s starting XI, but the 23-year-old starred on the biggest stage of all and proved why interest in his services is so rife.

Current ETV

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

€36M

ETV Range

€27M - €44.9M

View full profile

The former Chelsea academy star has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool over the past few months, although Man Utd reportedly have the highest level of interest.

The Red Devils remain determined to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, having agreed terms with the Englishman, but Guehi is also on Erik ten Hag’s radar and his performance against Serbia was proof that he is able to perform at the highest level under immense pressure.

As a result, a big-money move away from Crystal Palace could be on the cards.