Image Credits: Imago Images
Manchester City’s reported pursuit of Marc Guehi could spell trouble for Liverpool’s long-standing interest in the Crystal Palace captain, with BBC Sport confirming on Monday that the Premier League champions have accelerated their efforts to sign the England international this month.
The BBC’s Sami Mokbel revealed that City are “exploring a move” for the 25-year-old following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias sustained during Sunday’s draw with Chelsea. It was claimed that City’s interest has “progressed” and that “a move in January should not be discounted,” despite earlier assumptions that Guehi would complete the season at Selhurst Park before departing on a free transfer.
Palace have not closed the door on a January sale for Guehi, even though their preference is to keep him until the summer. Any agreement is expected to exceed the previously agreed £35million, to factor in the expense and difficulty of finding a suitable mid-season replace.
Having been so close to signing Guehi in the summer, it would be a bitter blow to see the England international make the switch to a domestic rival instead. And while that is a distinct possibility, Pep Guardiola has not exactly come out guns blazing regarding potential winter business for his side.
A year ago, a spate of injuries pushed City into a hectic January window in which they brought in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez. But speaking in his pre-Brighton press conference, the Spanish manager has downplayed big business this time around:
“Maybe we will get something but it’s completely different [to last year],” Guardiola said. “We are not going to buy four or five players like happened last season to be the (highest) net spend in this country. We are not, but apparently always we are.”
City are already nearing a £65 million deal for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, which could limit their appetite for further expensive additions.
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