Manchester City have reportedly emerged as strong contenders to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, potentially pushing Liverpool out of the race for the highly rated England international. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City’s interest has intensified following a fresh injury setback for Josko Gvardiol, forcing Pep Guardiola’s side to explore defensive reinforcements.
Guehi, 24, has been one of the most consistent centre-backs in the Premier League over the past two seasons and is widely expected to leave Crystal Palace in 2026. With his contract situation becoming clearer, Europe’s elite clubs are lining up to secure his signature, either in the summer window or as early as January.
Manchester City’s renewed push could significantly alter the transfer landscape. Guardiola values ball-playing defenders with positional intelligence, and Guehi’s composure, leadership, and Premier League experience make him an ideal fit for City’s system. The club is keen to act swiftly to avoid being dragged into a prolonged bidding war.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation closely, but City’s urgency, driven by Gvardiol’s injury, may give them a crucial edge. Liverpool, meanwhile, are expected to prioritise other areas of their squad and may hesitate to engage in a high-stakes battle, especially with defensive options already in place at Anfield.