England international Marc Guehi has opened up about his decisive move to Manchester City in the January 2026 transfer window, revealing he had his heart set on the Etihad despite interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Only Club He Wanted
Guehi, who joined City for a reported £20 million from Crystal Palace, insisted that once the champions registered their interest, there was no other option for him. This came after a potential summer switch to Liverpool collapsed late in the previous window and amid speculation linking him with Arsenal.
"There’s been some talk and a lot of noise," Guehi stated. "But when they asked if I wanted to come to City, there was only one answer." The centre-back, who was in the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, emphasised his desire to win, saying: "I know what winning feels like and I won’t stop until I get that same feeling."
Addressing City's Defensive Crisis
Guehi's arrival is timely for Pep Guardiola, who is grappling with a significant injury crisis in defence. City are currently without key defenders John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and Ruben Dias. Furthermore, Nathan Ake has been managing fitness issues, limiting his availability.
This situation has forced Guardiola to field the inexperienced duo of Abdukodir Khusanov (21) and Max Alleyne (20) in recent matches. Guehi's immediate introduction is expected to bolster City's backline significantly as they pursue silverware this season.
A Perfect Environment to Grow
Speaking about his decision, Guehi highlighted Manchester City's culture of excellence and growth as a major draw. He praised the club's phenomenal trophy haul—18 major honours under Guardiola—and its relentless ambition.
"First and foremost, it’s such an honour, such a big club to come and play for," Guehi added. "For me, I have always just been obsessed with getting better... and this is the perfect place for me to do that." He described the club's environment as ideal for his development, expressing his eagerness to contribute to the team's continued success.
While Arsenal had shown interest, reports suggested Mikel Arteta's side, despite their strong defensive roster, were leaning towards a summer move for the then-free agent. Guehi's clear preference for City, however, rendered that moot, culminating in his mid-season switch to the blue half of Manchester.
