City Turn Up Heat on Guehi as Liverpool Dream Fades

Manchester City are throwing everything at landing Marc Guehi this month, with the Premier League champions determined to prise the Palace captain away from south London before the transfer window slams shut.

The 25-year-old centre-back has become one of Europe's most coveted defenders, and the big guns have certainly taken notice. Liverpool came closest to securing him last summer, agreeing a £35m deal with Palace only to see the Eagles pull the plug on deadline day—they simply couldn't source a replacement in time.

That failure now looks increasingly costly for the Reds, who've endured a torrid season at the back. But their hopes of rectifying matters with Guehi appear to be slipping away fast.

City's hand has been strengthened by injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, leaving Pep Guardiola's side short at the back. Fresh from landing Antoine Semenyo, they've pivoted their attention to Palace's skipper and are prepared to go all-out to get this one done.

Reports suggest Guehi would rather wait until summer and a move to Liverpool, viewing it as his best option among the various suitors circling him. The logic is simple enough—more time means more offers, both sporting and financial. But City aren't in the mood to take no for an answer. They're willing to match whatever Liverpool or anyone else is putting on the table, determined to bulldoze through any resistance.

Here's the thing though: Guehi isn't entirely shutting the door. He's understood to be open to the prospect of a January switch to the Etihad.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, has acknowledged the writing might be on the wall. With just five months left on Guehi's contract, the manager reckons a genuinely eye-watering offer could force the issue—even if his captain prefers to stick around.

"I think Marc will stay but if Marc says 'I want to leave', and a club pays massive money – with five months left of a contract – every player will leave if you're playing for a club like Crystal Palace," Glasner said. "I'm pretty sure our chairman will ask for a very high price for him and then let's see. I don't know if Marc wants to leave."

It's a waiting game now. City are convinced they can get this over the line. Liverpool's window is rapidly closing.