England star Marc Guehy will move to Manchester City in the January transfer window, less than five months after his move to Liverpool fell through at the last minute.
Marc Guehy has joined Manchester City after a failed move to Liverpool (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Marc Guehi admits he never blushed after his failed move to Liverpool last summer. He knew that once Manchester City came calling, it was his destiny to join Liverpool’s bitter rivals instead.
Gehi completed a medical on Merseyside after Liverpool agreed a transfer fee of £35m. However, Palace chairman Steve Parish canceled the contract at the eleventh hour, forcing Guehi to return to the London club. But unlike Alexander Isak, Gehi never dreamed of going on strike to force a move to Anfield.
The England defender took time to move back north after manager Pep Guardiola asked him to join the club that has dominated domestic football for the past decade. Speaking for the first time about what happened, Guehi said: “The medical check was almost complete but it was lifted at the last moment.
“So, yeah, I was pretty close[to joining Liverpool]. I was OK. Yeah, I was OK. My mindset is always to move on to the next goal. God has a plan for me. I just focus on what I can do for Palace.”
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“I can’t speak for anyone or about anyone else’s decisions. That’s their life. But it was a huge honor and a blessing to be bought by Palace, so if I did certain things it would be to Palace’s detriment.”
“The least I could do was come to work every day and keep my mouth shut and my head down. I think that’s the most important thing. I’m really happy to get over the line. I’m really confident this is a place for me to improve and grow as a player, so I’m glad to get over the line.”
Guehi couldn’t have asked for a more comfortable debut as City beat Wolves thanks to first-half goals from Omar Marmouche and Antoine Semenyo. It was City’s first league win in 2026.
Marc Gehi looked confident after Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Wolves (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Gehi’s arrival at the Etihad is expected to see fellow defender John Stones leave in the summer. This is ironic given that Stones was one of Guehi’s England team-mates who persuaded him to join City ahead of several other clubs.
Guehi added: “We’ve been talking for quite some time and of course we’ve talked to other clubs, but through the conversations I’ve had with the players here, I felt this is a place for me to improve, get better and help out in any way I can.”
“I had a conversation with John and Phil (Foden), so it was great. I can’t say it’s one person’s fault, but it’s definitely a combination of all. They spoke very highly of the football club and the people at the football club, and that’s the most important thing to me. When you come to a place, you want to feel love, appreciation and welcome. I’ve felt all of that since I’ve been here.”
Pep Guardiola signed players in the January transfer window (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
But Guardiola admits he has been impressed by the eccentric manner in which Gehi has settled into his new life in Manchester, despite having to deal without new players for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Galatasary.
He said: “The Crystal Palace captain must be special. I’m really happy for him. He demands a lot from us to be better. Good players adapt quickly and understand the game and that’s what he’s done.”
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