EFL sources insist that Marc Guehi will not be permitted to participate in the Carabao Cup final, even if they receive a letter from Manchester City requesting a formal rule change.
Following last night's 3-1 (5-1 on aggregate) semi-final second leg triumph over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola indicated that City were planning to write to the EFL to discuss Guehi's ineligibility.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play in this competition (in) the final. It's difficult to understand that the club makes a big investment to take one player, (he) belongs to us and I don't understand why he cannot play in the final. Honestly.
"Hopefully we make a letter and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. Once you buy a player for a lot of money and he's not able to play (because of) a rule that I don't understand why. Hopefully they can change it and he can play."
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the EFL actually changed their rules to allow players who had already participated in early rounds of the competition to play for their new clubs, following a January transfer, as long as they signed before the first leg of the semi-final, reports football.london.
For instance, in previous seasons, Antoine Semenyo would have been cup-tied, but this time he was able to play for City against Newcastle and scored in the 2-0 first-leg victory at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe criticised the rule change before the match, stating: "It was nice to find out that rule had changed after finding out they had signed him. "I have to say that's one rule change I probably wouldn't be supportive of at this current moment.
While City have already benefited from the rule change, Guardiola still believes that Guehi should also be allowed to play against Arsenal at Wembley next month.
The first leg of the semi-final against Newcastle took place on January 13, but the England international did not complete his move to the Etihad Stadium from Crystal Palace until January 19.
When contacted by Express Sport's sister title football.london the EFL made it clear they will stand firm even if approached by City, meaning Guehi will have to watch his team-mates compete for the first trophy of the season from the stands in London.
The central defender is also unlikely to receive a medal if City win the competition as he will not have played for his new club during the tournament.
The victors of the Carabao Cup are assured a play-off position for next season's UEFA Conference League - although Arsenal and City are still firmly on course to qualify for the Champions League. Inaddition, they will also pocket £100,000 in tournament prize money.