Man City want to hijack Liverpool’s move for £35m star | OneFootball

Liverpool and Man City Set for Marc Guehi Transfer Race

Liverpool’s summer pursuit of Marc Guehi ended in frustration but their interest is far from over. According to The Mirror, the Reds are preparing a renewed move for the Crystal Palace captain when he becomes a free agent next summer. Standing in their way now are Manchester City, who are ready to join the chase in what could become one of the defining transfer sagas of 2026.

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Liverpool’s Longstanding Interest

The Reds’ £35 million deadline-day bid for Guehi collapsed at the last moment when Palace pulled the plug, leaving Arne Slot’s side without the centre-half reinforcement they desperately wanted. The Merseyside club have been admirers of the 25-year-old for some time.

“It was clear to all clubs in the last window that Guehi had decided his future was either joining Liverpool or to see out his contract and move on a free next summer,” the Mirror report stated. That clarity gave Liverpool confidence they would eventually get their man.

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City Enter the Race

Manchester City were not in contention during the summer window, focusing their efforts elsewhere, but the landscape has shifted. Pep Guardiola’s side are “huge admirers of the classy centre half”

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Guehi’s impending free-agent status makes him an attractive proposition. “It is rare that a player of his quality and age moves on a free transfer,” notes the report, with clubs across Europe ready to pounce.

European Heavyweights Also Monitoring

Liverpool and City are not the only suitors. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus are all on alert. Real have made a habit of signing top defenders on free transfers, while Barcelona are keen given Guehi’s Ivorian passport means he qualifies as an EU player. Bayern Munich are also mentioned as serious contenders, having seen success with shrewd acquisitions like Harry Kane.

Foreign clubs will have the advantage of being able to open talks on 1 January for a pre-contract agreement, potentially stealing a march on the Premier League giants.

Guehi’s Commitment to Palace

For now, Guehi remains committed to Crystal Palace. He has reiterated there is “no chance” of a January departure, and fans have appreciated his professionalism during a difficult summer. Palace will lose their captain for nothing if he does not sign a new deal, but they will hope to get another season of leadership from him before he moves on.

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Chelsea have been linked but a return to Stamford Bridge is considered unlikely, despite new boss Enzo Maresca’s admiration.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This report triggers a mixture of excitement and anxiety for Liverpool supporters. Excitement because Guehi feels like the perfect profile for what Liverpool need: athletic, composed on the ball, and experienced enough to step straight into the starting XI. Anxiety because Manchester City’s involvement changes the equation entirely.

City have the financial power to offer a deal Liverpool cannot match, both in terms of wages and potential signing-on fees. They also have the lure of almost guaranteed silverware, which could tilt Guehi’s decision. For Liverpool, it becomes essential to go deep in the Champions League and maintain momentum in the league, or they risk losing out.

The looming interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona is equally concerning. If Guehi can sign a pre-contract in January, Liverpool’s negotiating position weakens dramatically. Slot’s project and the chance to be part of a refreshed back line may still be a compelling offer, but time is of the essence.

For fans on the Kop, the fear is that this could become another case of a priority target slipping away, much like previous missed opportunities in the market. The hope is that Liverpool act decisively and sell Guehi the vision of being a cornerstone of the next great Anfield side.