Man City plotting move for ‘world-class’ England international in huge coup
Man City are firmly among the contenders to land agree a huge coup with the signing of a regular England international in 2026.
Pep Guardiola has been keen to improve his defensive options as part of a major squad overhaul despite having spent around £180million in the summer transfer window.
Now, Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi has emerged as a top target for Man City as he is expected to run down his contract after Guehi’s deadline day move to Liverpool fell through.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Guehi’s availability on a free transfer has set a number of clubs on alert.
Sources say City are the latest of a number of elite-level clubs to express an interest in the 25-year-old and believe they can make a compelling case to land him.
Man City join Liverpool in race to sign Marc Guehi
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 9 September that Man City could beat Liverpool to signing Guehi on a free next summer.
Meanwhile, Guehi has been tipped to snub Liverpool’s interest in favour of one of the more “interesting” options on the table for the Crystal Palace captain.
As things stand, it is an open race to sign the England international who has also been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Speaking on the Inside Track Podcast, I explained: “Look, if Guehi does run down his contract and become a free agent, it could be an open race for him.
“His eventual destination will depend on who offers him the best deal, because Liverpool are waiting until next summer to sign him after coming close in the summer.
“It’s no surprise Man City are looking at him, and they’ve joined a number of top clubs across Europe who are interested in signing him as well.
“I think they’d back themselves to beat rivals clubs to the deal if they decide to make a move.
“The opportunity to sign a proven Premier League player and England international on a free transfer would be a huge coup for anybody getting him.
“So it’s an open race as it stands right now and Man City are going to be one of the clear contenders for him because they want to strengthen at the back.”
Liverpool could now be set to miss out on a player who came within minutes of joining on deadline day, as they now face competition from Europe’s elite clubs.
Guehi plans to leave Crystal Palace for free after Liverpool snub
Guehi’s move to Liverpool broke down after Oliver Glasner threatened to quit Crystal Palace if his captain was sold without an adequate replacement coming in.
Brown told Football Insider that Guehi is “angry and disappointed” at Crystal Palace after the move was cancelled and would not entertain talks over a renewed deal.
As a result, the defender is now expected to walk away for free rather than moving on in January, with no shortage of clubs interested in his services.
Guehi’s role as a regular England international under Thomas Tuchel, alongside his Premier League and trophy-winning experience with Crystal Palace, has made him a valuable asset.
He remains one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Premier League, with his England teammate Ezri Konsa labelling him “world-class” a year ago. [BBC]
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