Manchester City are stepping up their interest in Marc Guehi, but there are no guarantees Crystal Palace and Guehi will agree to a January move.
Sami Mokbel broke the news for the BBC on Monday that Manchester City were emerging as contenders to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, exploring a move following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias over the weekend.
Gvardiol has suffered a broken leg and could well be out of action for the rest of the season, whilst Dias’ situation remains unclear and John Stones is also currently injured.
Mokbel added that City would wait to figure out the full extent of Dias’ injury before making a final decision on Guehi, but their interest has progressed and a January move shouldn’t be ruled out.
David Ornstein then reported for The Athletic on Tuesday morning that City do hold a strong interest in Guehi, as the only one of his suitors weighing up a move this month. With Guehi’s Palace contract expiring in the summer, most are waiting and hoping to snap him up as a free agent.
Yet Ornstein adds that there’s an amicable understanding between Palace and Guehi that he’ll see out the final months of his Palace contract, and there are no guarantees that will change even if Palace and Guehi receive an attractive proposal.
There’s still time for City to make a serious approach for Guehi this month, but the ball is ultimately in the court of the player and his current club. The likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool would also be interested in him this summer.
From an Arsenal perspective, the Gunners will be hoping City fail to make any January additions at the back, given Pep Guardiola’s side are their primary Premier League title rivals.
Guehi has been in strong form in recent months, and it would certainly give a boost to City to have a good replacement for their injured players.
But the move isn’t necessarily the best one for Guehi himself, as he’d likely find himself relegated to a backup once City’s starters returns. His other suitors may be able to offer him a first-choice role for the long term.