Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is at the centre of a dramatic transfer tug-of-war, with Manchester City launching a surprise attempt to sign him before the January window closes.
City's Deadline Week Gamble
According to renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are preparing to make a formal contract proposal to Guehi next week. The Premier League champions are willing to pay a fee to Crystal Palace now to secure the England international, rather than wait until his contract expires this summer.
However, Romano stresses the move hinges entirely on the player's approval. "It's on the player, and his plan has always been to move in the summer," Romano stated on his YouTube channel. City's move represents a significant shift in strategy, directly challenging the plans of rival suitors Arsenal and Liverpool.
Summer Suitors Left in Limbo
Until now, the transfer narrative has been dominated by a prospective summer free transfer. Guehi has reportedly been insistent on seeing out the season at Selhurst Park, which would allow him to move for free in June, albeit with substantial salary demands.
Romano confirms that Liverpool have been "really pushing" for a summer deal, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta "is a big fan" and the club has also been calling. German giants Bayern Munich have held meetings over the centre-back, but their interest is expected to cool with Dayot Upamecano poised to sign a new contract.
City's aggressive January intervention could now force Arsenal and Liverpool to accelerate their own plans or risk missing out on one of England's most sought-after defenders.
Palace's Complex Dilemma
The situation presents a major headache for Crystal Palace. The club famously blocked Guehi's move to Liverpool on deadline day last summer because they could not secure a replacement in time. They now face a similar, if not more pressing, dilemma.
With Guehi's contract ending in June, Palace risk losing him for nothing. Selling him now would bring in a fee, but Manchester City are unlikely to offer a large sum given the player's contractual situation. More critically, selling their star defender this month could derail their season, as finding a quality, available centre-back in January is notoriously difficult and expensive.
Furthermore, the decision could impact the future of manager Oliver Glasner, who Palace are trying to convince to sign a new deal with his own contract up this summer. Upsetting the manager by selling a key player without a ready replacement could have serious consequences.
The coming days will be decisive, with Guehi holding the key to a transfer saga that could define the end of the January window.
