Liverpool and Manchester City have gone toe-to-toe for Premier League titles over the last decade, and the rivalry could soon spill into the transfer market.
Both clubs are preparing for a fierce battle to land Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in 2026.
Liverpool came agonisingly close to signing the England international on deadline day, agreeing a £35m deal with Palace before the Eagles pulled the plug at the last minute.
Despite that collapse, the Reds are expected to reignite their interest in the 25-year-old next year.
City join the race for Marc Guehi
According to John Cross of The Mirror, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are preparing to rival Liverpool for Guehi’s signature in 2026.
The Premier League champions sense an opening to pounce, with the defender now entering the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
The interest is far from limited to England’s top two. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus are all monitoring the situation closely.
Crucially, overseas clubs will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Guehi as early as January — a luxury unavailable to Liverpool and City.
Why Palace won’t sanction a January exit
Despite the speculation, Palace are expected to stand firm in January.
Guehi remains highly valued at Selhurst Park, and the club and supporters alike have been impressed with his professionalism during last summer’s transfer saga.
As a result, a mid-season move has been ruled out, setting the stage for a high-profile battle in the summer of 2026.
For Liverpool, Guehi would represent a long-term defensive cornerstone alongside Alexander Isak’s blockbuster arrival.
For City, it would be another shrewd addition to Guardiola’s evolving backline. With Europe’s elite also circling, the race for the Palace skipper could become one of next year’s biggest transfer sagas.
About the Author
