An England international could be the ideal player to help bolster the Manchester City defence | OneFootball

It would not be a great surprise to see one of, or both of John Stones or Nathan Ake leave Manchester City next summer. Both players have been key players at centre-back for City during their time at the club. But as good as they’ve been, the end does seem near for their City careers. Vitor Reis, Juma Bah and Abdukodir Khusanov are young centre-backs who could fill the roles that Ake and Stones play that are on ManchesterCity’s books. But if the pair of experienced defenders did leave City, you do sense that City would benefit from signing an experienced centre-back.

On that front, it now seems that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is the player City want to add to bolster their defence. Guehi would be a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s squad given his age, pedigree and how he plays the centre-back position.

Manchester City have reportedly identified Marc Guehi as a primary transfer target.

Paul Hirst and Ian Whittell have reported for The Times that Manchester City have identified Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi as a leading transfer target. Furthermore, it is reported that City have kept a close eye on Marc Guehi’s progress as a player for several years now. Hirst and Whittell report that Guehi’s contract with Crystal Palace is set to expire at the end of this season. The England international will have no shortage of suitors, including Liverpool when he can be signed on a free transfer at the end of this season. It is also reported that Crystal Palace could potentially decide to cash in on Marc Guehi next month rather than lose him for free at the end of the 25/26 season. Although that particular scenario seems to be unlikely.

Marc Guehi is a player who would add tremendous quality to City’s defence if they could sign him.

If Manchester City did lose John Stones and Nathan Ake next summer, in an ideal world they would have to sign an experienced player to slot into their place. Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah are still young and raw, and it is doubtful that all three would be ready to step into a prominent role in Pep Guardiola’s squad for next season. If all three aren’t deemed ready to play a prominent role in Manchester City’s defence just yet, City would need to find an experienced centre-back to slot into their squad. Marc Guehi ticks nearly every box required to fill an important role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

At 25 years of age, Marc Guehi is entering the prime years of his career. He is firmly established in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad and has also become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Guehi is a leader for Crystal Palace. His role as Crystal Palace’s captain highlights this fact. As a player, Guehi is cool and calm in possession, and his physicality and ability to read the game and time a challenge make him an elite centre-back. If Manchester City could sign Guehi he’d also provide stiff competition for Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol which would raise the level of Manchester City’s centre-backs. That can only be a good thing for City’s defence.

Summary.

Marc Guehi is now seemingly a primary transfer target for Manchester City. City will face stiff competition to sign the England international. But there does seem to be a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad for Guehi. He is a player who looks to be the ideal fit for a City squad that is growing together and Guehi could come in, play a role and grow as a player at the Etihad if City could sign him.