Manchester City Reportedly Join Race for Marc Guehi After Liverpool Deal Collapses

Manchester City have reportedly entered the chase for Crystal Palace and England centre back Marc Guehi after a proposed £35 million move to Liverpool collapsed on transfer deadline day.

Liverpool had opened talks to sign the 25-year-old, with reports saying Guehi underwent a medical and a five-year contract was prepared, but Palace withdrew from the agreement when they were unable to bring in a replacement before the window closed. Palace manager Oliver Glasner said the club had agreed in March that Guehi could be sold only if a suitable replacement was signed, and that condition had not been met.

The Daily Mirror reported that Manchester City are "huge admirers" of Guehi and have joined a growing list of suitors. Other clubs linked to the defender in recent weeks include Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, and there have been previous links with Arsenal and Manchester United, according to multiple reports.

Guehi, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, has developed into one of the Premier League's most consistent centre backs. He captained Palace to victory in last season's FA Cup final, in which Palace beat Manchester City, and he has established himself in Gareth Southgate's England squad, starting recent World Cup qualifying matches and scoring in the win over Serbia.

Palace have also begun European competition under Guehi's captaincy this season, entering the Europa Conference League. Glasner emphasised the defender's importance to Palace's plans and reiterated why the club resisted selling on deadline day. "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 said. "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."

Guehi's contract at Selhurst Park runs until next summer, meaning he could leave on a free transfer if no extension is agreed. Reports of widespread interest suggest several major clubs could pursue him when the transfer market reopens, though any move will depend on Palace's recruitment and the player's contractual decisions.

For now, Palace will continue the season with Guehi as captain while the club seeks replacements and prepares for domestic and European fixtures. Any renewed transfer speculation is likely to intensify should Palace fail to reach an agreement on a new contract or to strengthen their defensive options in upcoming windows.