Manchester City are in the midst of building a new era under Pep Guardiola.placeholder image
Manchester City are in the midst of building a new era under Pep Guardiola. | Getty Images
One Manchester City transfer target could see the eight-time Premier League winners dominate once again
Manchester City have been under reconstruction in 2025 after their Premier League title defence faltered massively in the winter of last year – and yet, as Arsenal begin to show signs of weakness, the Cityzens’ return to the top could come sooner than expected.
The Gunners lead the way and remain many neutrals’ tip for the title, but City have been here before. Just a couple of points off the pace with more than half a season remaining, Pep Guardiola’s side host the north Londoners at the Etihad in April and essentially have the title in their own hands as things stand.
Regardless of where the famous top-flight trophy ends up come May, the 2023 Treble winners’ signings across both transfer windows in 2025 have begun to bring the Sky Blues into a new era.
But in one area of the pitch, a gap remains – and a recent transfer target could be the man to complete the jigsaw puzzle and usher in a new era of dominance for Guardiola’s relentless outfit.
Man City touted to complete hijack to sign Marc Guehi in 2026
According to recent reports by The Times, Man City have made Crystal Palace defender and captain Marc Guehi a ‘leading target’ ahead of the expiry of the England international’s contract in summer 2026.
Guehi came close to signing for Liverpool in the summer but may view the Etihad as the best destination to win trophies if he decides to stay put in south London until his current deal expires next summer.
With Nathan Aké and Manuel Akanji expected to depart City next summer and John Stones likely to join them out of the exit door if he cannot sustain his fitness in the remainder of the season, there is a clear gap for Guardiola at centre-back and there are few better options around than 25-year-old Guehi, who has made 147 Premier League appearances and started for the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final.
If City were to trump Arne Slot’s Liverpool and complete a momentous transfer hijack, the signing of Guehi could be decisive as the Manchester giants seek domination domestically and in Europe, both now and when Guardiola ultimately departs the club.
Guehi signing could complete Man City puzzle ahead of new era of dominance
The pedigree of a signing like Guehi is undeniable, and the former Chelsea academy graduate possesses the attributes both on and off the pitch to make all the difference at the Etihad, or truthfully at wherever he ends up next.
A natural-born leader and oozing confidence and class in everything he does, Guehi is a model pro and a man to be relied upon. Thinking back to modern City greats such as Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, it is this unerring ability to seek perfection and keep a calm head when it matters most which personifies the type of player Guardiola likes to build his team around.
Another key component to the Spaniard’s most successful City sides was their changeability. The fact that Guardiola often had two equally good players for any given position, rotating each week and taking stars out of the spotlight for months on end, only for them to play a key role in the run-in when it mattered most.
At present, beyond first-choice centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, the former Barcelona boss is left with few options who would maintain the level of the team. The arrival of Guehi would remedy this.
In most instances, a top-level player would be wary of joining a club where they are not guaranteed to be a starter – but not when that club is Guardiola’s City. Moreover, Dias will be 29 by next season and Guehi might be confident of usurping him into the XI before long, regardless. Another defensive addition may also free up Gvardiol to compete with Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri for the left-back slot he used to fill so effortlessly. In short, the opportunities are endless.
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