Liverpool Aren't the Only Big Losers in Marc Guehi Saga as Man City Clinch Transfer Coup

In a stunning twist to the prolonged Marc Guehi transfer saga, Manchester City have pulled off a major coup by securing the signature of the highly-rated Crystal Palace defender, leaving Liverpool and Arsenal as the primary casualties in the race for his services. The 25-year-old England international, who has been a cornerstone of Palace's defense, has reportedly agreed to a £70 million deal with City, with the transfer set to be finalized before the January window closes.

The article details how Liverpool, long-time admirers of Guehi, had pushed hard for his signature amid their defensive injury woes. Jurgen Klopp's side saw Guehi as the ideal long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, but Palace's firm valuation and Guehi's preference for a new challenge elsewhere derailed their efforts. Arsenal, meanwhile, were also in the mix, viewing him as a partner for William Saliba, but internal budget constraints following their summer spending spree halted advanced negotiations.

Man City's intervention came late but decisively. Pep Guardiola, seeking to bolster his backline amid ongoing issues with injuries to John Stones and Manuel Akanji, activated Guehi's release clause after Palace rejected initial bids. Sources close to the deal reveal that City offered Guehi a lucrative five-year contract worth £250,000 per week, along with Champions League assurances—factors that swayed the player despite interest from Anfield and the Emirates.

The fallout is significant. Liverpool now scramble for alternatives, with links to Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite intensifying, while Arsenal pivot to cheaper options like Ajax's Jorrel Hato. Palace, though reluctant, benefit from a club-record fee, funding squad rebuilds under Oliver Glasner. For City, Guehi represents a strategic masterstroke, enhancing their Premier League title defense and European ambitions.

Football pundits hail the move as Guardiola's shrewdest January business yet, underscoring City's ruthless efficiency in the market. The saga underscores the unpredictable nature of transfers, where timing and ambition often trump sentiment.

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