All indications are that Manchester City may have to move on to another centre-back target | OneFootball

Manchester City are in need of another centre-back after Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol went down with serious injuries. Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne have stepped into the heart of City’s defence for their past two matches against Brighton and Exeter City and performed admirably. The need for City to sign an experienced centre-back is clear to see. Especially considering the packed schedule City will have to navigate over the second half of this season.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi did appear to be the ideal player to fill a void in Pep Guardiola’s squad. But it has now been reported that Guehi may have his heart set on a summer move to Liverpool and Arsenal. If City are to sign an experienced centre-back this month they may have to find another player to fill a void in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Marc Guehi reportedly prefers a move to Liverpool, and possibly Arsenal over City.

The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent, Sam Lee, has reported that Marc Guehi prefers a summer move to Liverpool or Arsenal over a January move to City. Speaking on the Let Me Talk podcast, on Manchester City’s interest in Marc Guehi, Sam Lee said: ““I was told by somebody who knows what’s going on at City, but also I think probably Palace as well, he said he thinks Guehi wants to stay until the summer and he prefers Liverpool [to City] in any case.”

Sam Lee further explained that Arsenal could also be a potential summer destination for Marc Guehi. Lee added: “Somebody else messaged me on X and I know he’s very good on other club stuff, he was like; ‘Yeah, he wants to stay until the summer – and he prefers Liverpool and Arsenal’.”

“I was like; ‘Well I haven’t heard Arsenal’, but that kind of tallies what I’d been told the night before.”

Manchester City may have to move on from their interest in signing Marc Guehi.

Based on Sam Lee’s information, it would seem that Manchester City may have to move on from their interest in Marc Guehi. The England international is a free agent this summer and will have the ability to decide his next move. The opportunity to earn a significant signing on bonus will also be available to Guehi. It is hard to see him passing that opportunity up which is understandable.

From a City point of view, they may have to find another centre-back to bolster their defence in January. Who that player could be isn’t immediately apparent at this stage. There is three weeks remaining in the January transfer window and Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov have performed well in the heart of City’s defence so far. So there is time for Manchester City to find another centre-back in the market if their interest in signing Marc Guehi this month comes to nothing.

It would seem that Marc Guehi isn’t interested in joining Manchester City this month. Sam Lee’s report does give that impression. That situation could change but City may have to find another centre-back to add experience and quality to Pep Guardiola’s squad if Guehi is determined to remain at Selhurst Park.