Crystal Palace target Manchester City star as potential Marc Guehi replacement | OneFootball

Manchester City could be subject to transfer interest from one of their Premier League rivals next summer as Crystal Palace plot out their future beyond Marc Guehi.

The London club are preparing for continued high-level interest in their England international centre-back, having resisted heavy pressure to sell in recent windows despite a move to Liverpool seemingly imminent on transfer deadline day during the last summer.

With Guehi expected to be a target for several top clubs across Europe including officials at Anfield and Bayern Munich, and further movement anticipated after the FIFA World Cup and the current campaign, Crystal Palace have been exploring contingency options.

Manchester City are approaching a crossroads themselves concerning elements of their own defensive unit, with Manuel Akanji expected to join Inter permanently following his ongoing season-long loan, while John Stones’ fitness record continues to prompt conversations around succession planning despite the defender’s loyalty to the club.

That backdrop has heightened attention on the long-term status of other senior defensive figures under Pep Guardiola, especially those approaching key contract stages such as Nathan Ake and the aforementioned Stones.

Earlier in the most-recent summer transfer window, Everton were linked with an audacious late-window approach for Ake, before those claims were quickly rubbished by local media.

Now, according to the information of TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones, Crystal Palace retain an interest in Manchester City’s long-standing star centre-back as a potential transfer option come the end of the ongoing season.

It is explained that the Eagles first monitored the Dutchman last summer as they prepared for the exit of Marc Guehi, and with City also beginning to consider new centre-back options of their own, the door could be opened for the 30-year-old to leave the Etihad Stadium.

With Nathan Ake only having one year remaining on his Manchester City contract come next summer, Etihad officials must weigh up whether to cash in on the 30-year-old while they still can, with the report describing a sale as a ‘distinct possibility’.

Any potential decision from Manchester City will likely hinge on the club’s broader defensive planning, potential exits from their current ranks, and whether new centre-back targets become viable in 2026.

Manager Pep Guardiola has historically resisted losing experienced defenders without guaranteed replacements, but expiring deals often force strategic calls from those in senior decision-making positions.

For Nathan Ake, the equation could come down to playing time and role stability. While he remains trusted by Pep Guardiola and has featured in various fixtures this season when fit and available, competition from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, and Abdukodir Khusanov ensures intense rotation.

A move to a club like Crystal Palace for Nathan Ake would likely provide guaranteed minutes and leadership responsibility, though the ambition of continuing to compete for top-level trophies may dictate the defender’s own stance.