Competition from Liverpool & Arsenal 

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Liverpool came agonisingly close to signing Crystal Palace centre-back and captain Marc Guéhi on deadline day of the summer transfer window, but with the Eagles unable to find an adequate replacement, the deal fell through. Six months on, and with the Englishman’s contract set to expire this June, it now looks as though Manchester City are leading the race for the 25 year old. Recent reports suggest that Man City have advanced on a Guéhi deal in the last 12 hours, with a big approach being made. The Sky Blues have supposedly presented an important proposal to Guéhi in terms of contract, and are ready to proceed now with Crystal Palace to get a deal done.

Pep Guardiola’s side do have an embarrassment of riches in the centre-half position, but recently lost both Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to long-term injuries. John Stones has also had fitness issues throughout the season. As things stand, the only senior centre-halves available are Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Aké. Both Liverpool and Arsenal have also shown serious interest, whilst foreign clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also been in the mix. But most of those clubs would rather sign Guéhi on a free transfer in the summer.

Is Manchester City the right move for Marc Guéhi?

Not many players have as many widespread options of big clubs after them than Guéhi right now, and at 25 years old, his next move may be pivotal to the success and legacy of his career. Last season, the top three in the Premier League were Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City and you could make arguments for each of them being the best destination for the England international. In terms of getting regular minutes, Liverpool is probably the best option. Right now, the Reds only have two senior centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté. Van Dijk is now 34 and Konaté’s contract is set to expire in the summer – Guéhi could become the prominent centre-back at Anfield.

However, on the pitch itself Liverpool have struggled this season, and with other issues to revolve around the likes Mohamed Salah, it’s perhaps not the most settled dressing room to enter. Man City have been the trophy-winning juggernauts of the last decade, but last term suffered their first trophy-less campaign in years, and with Guardiola’s future uncertain and his contract out in 2027, the Etihad may not once be the stable home to guarantee trophies that it once was. Another things to consider – whilst right now Guéhi will slot straight in at City, when Dias and Gvardiola return would he be a guaranteed starter? There will be plenty of competition once City’s defensive injury issues soften.

Rumour
	M. Guéhi
	Centre-Back
Crystal Palace ? Arsenal Premier League Premier League

At Arsenal, Guéhi would encounter similar issues in terms of competition. He would be competing with one of if not the best centre-back partnership in the world in Gabriel and William Saliba, and that duo is unlikely to get broken up if they are both fit and available. There are rumours, that Mikel Arteta wants to move Myles Lewis-Skelly to midfield, have Piero Hinacapié compete for the left-back position that would free up a space, but still probably not a first-choice one. Nevertheless, it is arguably the most settled dressing room and he might think he has the best chance to win trophies at Arsenal in the near future. Although Arteta’s team still need to get over the line this season and prove they can win silverware.

It would seem the opportunity of signing Guéhi on a free transfer is one many top clubs see as too goo to miss, and some will certainly be thinking of signing him to stop their rivals getting their hands on such a talent. This month, the player is also free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign European club. The position of his contract running out puts Guéhi in a very favourable position, and considering the service he has given Crystal Palace, including leading them to the FA Cup last season, not many will begrudge him his move.