The race for Europe's most coveted signature is heating up. On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Bayern Munich officially entered the fray to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, joining Premier League giants Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal in a pursuit that is expected to peak this summer.
With Guehi’s contract at Selhurst Park expiring on June 30, 2026, the 25-year-old is now officially in the final six months of his deal, meaning he is legally allowed to negotiate a "Pre-Contract Agreement" with clubs outside of England—giving Bayern a distinct tactical advantage.
The "Bayern Edge": Max Eberl’s Move
Reports from Sky Germany suggest that Bayern’s Sporting Director Max Eberl has already made several phone calls to Guehi’s camp in the last 48 hours.
The Pitch: Bayern are offering Guehi a guaranteed starting role and a chance to follow in the footsteps of Harry Kane by becoming an English star in the Bundesliga.
The Regulation: Because Guehi is moving between associations, he can sign a binding agreement with Bayern today, whereas English clubs must wait until the window opens in June to finalize a free transfer.
The Crystal Palace Stance
Oliver Glasner has maintained a brave face but admitted the reality:
"Marc will leave in 2026. The only question is whether it is for massive money now in January or for free in July. We are not at the top of the food chain, and we respect his decision."
The Verdict: While Manchester City are the only ones currently willing to pay a fee to get him now, Guehi reportedly prefers to wait until the summer to have his pick of Europe’s elite. By entering the race, Bayern Munich have complicated the plans of the "Big Three" in England, turning a Premier League pursuit into a pan-European saga.