Man City Signing Marc Guehi from Under Liverpool's Noses Exposes Humiliating Transfer Trend

Manchester City have sensationally hijacked Liverpool's long-standing interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, agreeing a £20m mid-season deal that leaves the Reds exposed in their defensive recruitment woes.[1][2][3]

The 25-year-old England international, whose contract was set to expire in June 2026, is on the verge of completing a five-and-a-half-year move to the Etihad Stadium, with Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirming the transfer is in its "final stages" and that Guehi will miss their next match.[1][3][4] City, reeling from injuries to key centre-backs Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, and John Stones, view the versatile defender—praised for his pace, duels, ball-playing ability, and set-piece threat—as an immediate starter and long-term asset.[3][4][5]

This coup underscores Liverpool's humiliating transfer trend: a £35m deal for Guehi collapsed on deadline day in September 2025 when Palace balked without a replacement lined up.[2][3][5] Opting to wait for a free transfer backfired spectacularly, as Pep Guardiola's side pounced with a bargain offer, securing one of the Premier League's top defenders for a fraction of his value amid City's title chase—six points behind Arsenal.[1][2]

Adding insult, Chelsea profit handsomely via a 20% sell-on clause from Guehi's 2021 departure, netting around £4m despite his minimal senior appearances there.[1] Guehi, who shone at Euro 2024 and helped Palace win the FA Cup and Community Shield, rejected extensions at Selhurst Park, forcing the sale.[3][5]

Fans and pundits lambast Liverpool's caution in defence while splashing on attack, calling £20m a "pathetic" steal now lost to rivals.[2] Glasner also announced his summer exit, compounding Palace's turmoil.[1][4] For City, it's hailed an "A-grade" winter window masterstroke, though risks linger from financial scrutiny.[5]

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