Crystal Palace Consider Kiwior as Guehi Interest Mounts
Defensive Plans Begin to Shift at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace could be preparing for a defensive reset this summer, with Marc Guehi’s future growing increasingly uncertain. As reported by FootballTransfers, “Crystal Palace could be gearing up for a defensive shake-up, with Marc Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park hanging in the balance.”
The 24-year-old England international has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders. His positioning, composure, and leadership have turned heads across the division. Unsurprisingly, his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. “Chelsea are weighing up a move to re-sign the centre-back they sold for £18 million (€23.3m) in 2021.”
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping tabs, and after testing Palace’s resolve last summer, a renewed bidding war is expected. Palace have made it clear that they won’t entertain any offers below £60 million, particularly after losing Michael Olise and with Eberechi Eze now attracting serious interest.
Kiwior a Logical Replacement
Behind the scenes, Palace are already laying the groundwork. According to FootballTransfers, “the Eagles have identified versatile Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior as a potential replacement.”
The Polish international has found minutes hard to come by at Arsenal, not through lack of quality but due to the formidable partnership of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. Signed from Spezia in January 2023, Kiwior has shown glimpses of his potential when called upon, playing across the backline and even at left-back.
His performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid was singled out for praise, showcasing his positional intelligence and defensive resilience. Yet with Arsenal potentially entering the defender market again this summer, and Kiwior still behind first-choice options, the path to regular football may still remain blocked.
Glasner’s System Suits Kiwior
A move to Oliver Glasner’s Palace could serve both parties. Kiwior is comfortable in a back-three, a structure the Palace boss often prefers, and his ability to operate in multiple defensive roles aligns with the Austrian’s tactical blueprint.
Palace value adaptability, and Kiwior ticks that box — a ball-playing defender with international pedigree, capable of stepping into a high-pressure environment. With a fee in the region of £20–25 million potentially enough to prise him away, Palace may see this as an efficient and forward-thinking addition.
Transfer Landscape Hinges on Guehi Decision
For all the planning, Palace’s activity will ultimately depend on what happens with Guehi. “The defender has so far shown no willingness to consider an extension,” according to FootballTransfers, suggesting the South London club could be forced into a reluctant sale.
If that happens, Kiwior is a ready-made candidate to step into a crucial role. While not yet the finished product, his development at Arsenal and maturity under pressure indicate the potential to grow into one of the Premier League’s more reliable defenders — if given consistent minutes.
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For Palace fans, this news brings a mix of realism and optimism. Losing Marc Guehi would hurt. He’s been nothing short of exceptional since joining from Chelsea — a true modern centre-half, understated but vital. Seeing him linked with returns to Stamford Bridge or moves to Spurs or Newcastle is hardly surprising. The worry is who replaces him.
That’s where Jakub Kiwior offers hope. He’s versatile, left-footed, and still developing — and he’s proven he can deliver at the top level when called upon. Performances like his display against Real Madrid show he can handle pressure.
Supporters will want reassurance that the club has a plan, especially after the disappointment of losing Olise and potentially Eze. Kiwior might not carry Guehi’s profile just yet, but he could be a smart signing — not a replacement in like-for-like terms, but a fresh piece in a wider rebuild.
The fee seems fair, the potential high, and the fit with Glasner’s system logical. If Guehi is destined for a bigger stage, Kiwior might just be Palace’s next quiet success.
