Man City well-placed to beat Liverpool to ‘superstar’ signing after ‘major’ concern emerges
Man City are preparing to beat Liverpool to the signing of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi on a free transfer next summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola is keen to beat his rivals to sign the 25-year-old.
Liverpool’s deal to sign Guehi fell through on transfer deadline day after Oliver Glasner intervened to keep his captain at Selhurst Park.
With less than 12 months remaining on his contract, Europe’s top clubs are believed to have joined Arne Slot‘s side in the race for the England international’s signature.
Palace chairman Steve Parish labelled Guehi a “superstar” [via BBC] when discussing his future last summer, but now looks set to lose his prised asset on a free transfer.
Man City join European giants in race to sign Marc Guehi
Brown told Football Insider on 5 September that Real Madrid and Barcelona have joined the race for Guehi, although Liverpool remain the front-runners.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Man City are the latest side to show an interest and believe they can agree a deal.
“I hear Man City are now interested in Guehi,” he told Football Insider.
“While his situation remains up in the air, there are a lot of clubs who are going to be interested in him.
“Any club in Europe, you name them, Guehi would improve them. He’s honestly that good.
“He was going to Liverpool, that fell through, now it looks like he’s going to be available for free so whoever gets him is getting a seriously good deal.
“Man City want to improve defensively, they’ve got major concerns there at the moment.
“[Manuel] Akanji has gone, John Stones can’t be relied upon because of his injuries, the young lad they bought in January isn’t a certainty, they’re open to letting [Nathan] Ake go.
“So the opportunity to bring in somebody like Guehi, with the stability and consistency he brings, is something I expect they’re going to be all over.
“Especially with the change to snatch him away from one of their rivals in Liverpool.
“And I think they’re in a good position to bring him in, it’s something he’ll be interested in for the same reasons he was interested in joining Liverpool.
“When it comes to the end of his contract, I’m sure he’ll listen to all of the offers.”
Pep Guardiola has big Man City concern
City’s pursuit of Guehi comes amid “major” ongoing concerns about their defensive stability, which have been heightened by their poor start to the season.
Stones’ injuries remain a concern and Abdukodir Khusanov has failed to impress, while Ake has been linked with a move away and Akanji was allowed to join Inter Milan.
Last season, Guardiola’s side conceded 44 goals in the Premier League, more than any of their rivals in the top four, and they have conceded four in three games this term.
As a result, their focus ahead of the 2026 transfer windows is set to be fixed on landing reinforcements at the back, with Guehi emerging as a key target.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 8 September that Man City want to sign Tino Livramento as they are prioritising defensive improvements.
For more Man City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.