Manchester City are set to make Marc Guech their second signing in January after stealing marches from a number of top clubs who wanted to sign the Crystal Palace star for free.
Marc Guehi is closing in on a move to Manchester City (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Moans could have been heard from across Merseyside at Crystal Palace’s Beckenham training ground when manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Marc Guehi was on his way to Manchester City in an explosive press conference on Friday afternoon.
As much as Crystal Palace fans were disappointed by the news of their captain and star defender’s departure, Liverpool fans will also have been cursing to see their hopes of signing the sought-after Guehi, who had come so close to a move to Anfield in the final hours of the summer transfer window, dashed for the second and final time.
Given this year’s defensive deficiencies, it was expected that Liverpool would make a new move for the 25-year-old Guehi in 2026, but it quickly became clear that such a move would not materialize at this time. But Manchester City are looking at them to ensure that doesn’t happen – and Liverpool aren’t the only ones with regrets.
read more: Transfer News LIVE: City agree £30m Guehi deal, Manchester United confident in Baleva, Glasner set to leave Crystal Palaceread more: Oliver Glasner sparks Crystal Palace exodus that could also include Jean-Philippe Mateta
Because all the top teams in the Premier League would have been chasing Guehi if he was available this month for the £30 million that City are believed to have plundered from him.
Liverpool’s need for a centre-half and their interest in Guehi makes sense for them given the winners and losers of Friday’s big news, but City have not only Arne Slott’s men, but one over in the Premier League half.
A number of top clubs are courting Guehi ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal had a long-term interest in Guehi, but the fact is they already have a quality defender at their disposal. But Guehi has improved on all of the Premier League’s elite players, including at his former club Chelsea.
The Blues may benefit slightly from the inclusion of a sell-on clause in the contract that brought Guehi to Selhurst Park, but he is certain to end up in Liam Rosenior’s team, even though they also have a good number of defenders.
The same goes for Manchester United, the latest team to sign Murillo from Nottingham Forest. Whether Guehi will join United in the absence of European guarantees is another question, but at least he has a better chance than last year. And signing a defender of Guehi’s ilk would have been a real statement.
Palace will see Guehi’s departure as a double-edged sword. They will be losing one of their most influential players at a far from ideal time, but they are making a reasonable amount of money for a player who had essentially already promised to leave for free. Do the pros outweigh the cons?
After leaving Chelsea, Guehi became a regular for England and one of the Premier League’s top defenders (Image: )
No matter where you stand, Manchester City are the big winners here. They bought a player whose stock would only have increased after the World Cup, and who was guaranteed to be a starter for England, for an absolutely rock-bottom fee. Given his contract and the fact that he has yet to reach his prime, Guehi would have commanded a premium price. That’s probably close to three times what City would actually pay for his services.
A penny to Mikel Arteta’s thoughts. With Liverpool all but eliminated from the title race and Arsenal in good form, he had to watch Manchester City sign Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, two of the best players in the Premier League this season.
Even if Arsenal’s strength lies in their defensive depth, the Gunners manager will be envious of them. And as for Guehi, so should other managers in the Premier League’s elite.
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