Sources: Man City place English star at the top of their transfer wishlist for 2026

Manchester City Eye Crystal Palace Star Marc Guéhi in £65 Million Transfer Bid

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Manchester City are gearing up to intensify their pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to bolster their defensive unit with elite Premier League talent. The 25-year-old England international has emerged as one of the most coveted defenders in the domestic game, and City view him as a long-term solution capable of thriving in Guardiola’s demanding tactical system.

Competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid

Guéhi has been placed near the top of Manchester City’s defensive shortlist as the club plans for the next phase of its squad evolution. While City have enjoyed remarkable success in recent seasons, Guardiola is understood to be keen on refreshing certain areas of the team, particularly in defense, where questions have been raised over depth. Players such as John Stones and Nathan Ake have been managing fitness concerns and entering later stages of their careers, making it essential for City’s recruitment team to identify defenders who can combine immediate impact with long-term value.

Guéhi’s Attractive Profile

Since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea, Guéhi has developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs. He has captained Palace on numerous occasions, showcasing leadership and class. The defender has made 147 appearances in the Premier League, demonstrating his experience at the top level. These traits are particularly attractive to Guardiola, whose system relies heavily on defenders being comfortable on the ball and tactically intelligent.

Competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid

Manchester City are not alone in their admiration for Guéhi. Liverpool are also believed to be monitoring him closely as they assess options to refresh their own backline in the coming seasons. With Virgil van Dijk into his thirties and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s long-term future, the Reds see Guéhi as a potential cornerstone of their next defensive era. Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation closely and could enter the race to sign him next year.

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