Liverpool set to battle Man City in the race to sign £35m star in 2026 | OneFootball

Manchester City Enter Race with Liverpool for Guehi Free Transfer

Growing competition for England defender

Manchester City are preparing to compete with Liverpool in the pursuit of Marc Guehi, according to John Cross in The Mirror, who is expected to be one of the most in-demand free agents in European football next summer. The Crystal Palace captain, 25, is approaching the end of his contract and has attracted interest from some of the continent’s elite clubs.

Liverpool came close to securing a £35 million deal for the England international on deadline day, only for Palace to pull out of the agreement at the final stage. That decision has significantly reshaped the transfer landscape, leaving Guehi poised to leave Selhurst Park without a fee once his current deal expires.

European giants monitoring situation

The prospect of signing a defender of Guehi’s calibre on a free has alerted clubs across Europe. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus are among those understood to be tracking developments closely. Guehi’s availability next summer is seen as a rare opportunity to secure a Premier League-proven centre back entering his prime years, without the financial outlay usually required.

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Barcelona are believed to hold a particularly strong interest, with Guehi’s Ivorian passport meaning he qualifies as an EU player under Spanish regulations — a factor that enhances his attractiveness in La Liga. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, are expected to be active in defensive recruitment following their recent investments elsewhere on the pitch.

Liverpool and City prepare for tug-of-war

Liverpool remain confident that their long-standing interest could give them an edge, especially after Guehi was said to have prioritised a move to Anfield over any other destination during the summer. Sources close to the situation suggest the player had resolved either to join Liverpool immediately or wait until the expiry of his deal to move freely in 2025.

Manchester City, however, are now firming up their plans to enter the race. Pep Guardiola’s side are admirers of Guehi’s composure, leadership and distribution from the back. The Premier League champions are expected to reinforce their defensive options next summer, and Guehi represents a strategic target who would offer both quality and value.

No movement expected in January

Despite speculation, a January exit has been ruled out. Guehi has reaffirmed his commitment to Palace for the remainder of the season, with the club and supporters appreciative of how he handled the collapsed transfer to Liverpool. That stance effectively ensures that his future will be decided next summer, when he can command significant wages as one of the most attractive free transfers on the market.

Chelsea have been loosely linked due to his history with their academy, but a return appears unlikely given his determination to establish himself elsewhere. With foreign clubs permitted to open talks from 1 January, Premier League rivals may face an uphill task to keep him in England.

What is clear is that the battle for Guehi is shaping up to be one of next summer’s defining transfer stories, with Manchester City and Liverpool central to the outcome.