Manchester City believe they have beaten bitter rivals Liverpool to the signing of England international Marc Guehi. Both clubs have been in extensive talks with the Crystal Palace defender, with Liverpool coming close to landing Guehi last summer. However, a fee could not be agreed, allowing City boss Pep Guardiola to take advantage and secure a £30m deal in the coming days.
Guardiola has become desperate to strengthen his defence following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in recent games. The Spaniard's increasing need for reinforcements saw him urge Etihad bosses to agree a fee with their Palace counterparts.
Guehi will be out of contract in June, and some of Europe's biggest clubs—including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan—have been lining up to sign him on a free transfer. Guehi is able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club this month, but City appear to have stolen a march by offering Palace a price the London club cannot turn down. For his part, Guehi is keen to play for Guardiola.
The arrival of Guehi could spell bad news for his England team-mate John Stones. Stones is out of contract at the end of this season and was hoping to sign an extension, but no agreement has been reached, with Guardiola having reservations about the centre back's fitness problems. Stones, who will be 32 in May, has been restricted to just seven league appearances this season due to injuries and knows he could fall down the pecking order.
Guehi helped Palace finish 12th in the Premier League last season and win the FA Cup, securing a place in Europe.
