One of Liverpool’s most fierce rivals are reportedly ready to enter the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Liverpool thought they had their £35millon man on deadline day after he underwent a medical and a five-year deal was drawn up, but Palace pulled the plug after failing to find a replacement.
And picking him up for free next summer when his contract expires will hardly be a doddle as the competition may be hot for his services.
We had already been aware of reports that five European giants – namely Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayer Munich, Inter Milan, and Juventus – have taken a shine to the England star.
And now the Daily Mirror have claimed that Manchester City are ready to challenge Liverpool in a multi-way tug-of-war for the 25-year-old.
The outlet claims that City are ‘huge admirers’ of Guehi, who skippered Palace to victory over them in last season’s FA Cup final.
Manchester City are reportedly keen on rivalling Liverpool for Marc Guehi’s signature
The Crystal Palace and England star is attracting widespread interest from European clubs
He was set to join Liverpool for £35million on deadline day but the transfer collapses
Guehi’s stock is rising rapidly and he was at the heart of England’s defence for both of their recent World Cup qualifying victories against Andorra and Serbia, scoring in the latter.
And he is getting his first taste of European action this campaign as he skippers Palace into the Europa Conference League, another experience which will stand him in good stead.
Many feel that Guehi is ready for the step up to a team who can challenge for the Premier League title and he has previously been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United also.
He conducted himself with integrity throughout the transfer window but will have to wait until at least January for a move away from Selhurst Park.
Guehi joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and has since become one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner made clear that he did not want to lose Guehi without a replacement lined up, stressing the defender was ‘necessary’ to the club’s hopes of enjoying a successful season.
They had been looking at Brighton’s Igor Julio on loan, but when that move didn’t go ahead, Guehi’s exit was put on ice.
‘We had a meeting in March where we talked about the situation and we had an agreement that we could sell Marc if we had the right replacement in,’ Glasner explained. ‘We wanted to have this replacement at the beginning of pre-season to be independent.
‘That was on July 9 when the season started. It’s August 31 and there is no replacement in the building so it’s clear one part of the agreement is not fulfilled. That means we can’t sell Marc. It’s not a wish or gift for Oliver Glasner, it’s necessary for playing a successful season.’
