Manchester City and Crystal Palace could engage in an intriguing swap deal this summer
Manchester City and Crystal Palace will both feel that there is room for improvement despite solid starts to the new season.
Both sides have shown glimpses of what is to come without setting the world alight as of yet. City thrashed Wolves 4-0 on the opening day but were taken quickly back down to earth by a 2-0 defeat at home to bogey side Tottenham Hotspur, while Palace won the Community Shield on penalties and have followed that up with two draws against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
The Eagles have recently sold star man Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £67.5 million and while the sale will come as no surprise, it remains to be seen if they can replace the spark the former QPR man provided Oliver Glasner’s side. Pep Guardiola has, by his own admission, got too large a squad and may look to sell before bringing in further new recruits.
Man City and Crystal Palace could join forces for epic swap deal
Crystal Palace overcame Man City in the FA Cup final back in May, but any ill feeling from the Cityzens will become a distant memory if the two Premier League sides come together to arrange a huge swap deal.
In addition to Eze, Palace have had to contend all summer with the possibility of captain Marc Guehi departing the club. In other circumstances they would charge a premium for the England international but with just a year left on his deal, a cut-price transfer may be their only option to avoid losing him for free next summer.
City have been reported by the Daily Star as having joined the race for Guehi alongside Liverpool, in what could be an intriguing transfer battle. The report states that this is only under one condition - if centre-backs Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are sold this week. Further reports suggest that the Eagles could aid City in their goal, setting up the potential for a mega swap deal.
Marc Guehi and Manuel Akanji swap deal could be the answer
Reports by The Sun suggest that Palace are interested in Switzerland international Akanji and have tabled a £15m bid for the treble winner in hope of bolstering their defensive options and potentially replacing Guehi.
While it may appear an ambitious move on face value, Akanji is 30 and may not have much of a long-term future with City. He would also get the chance to compete in Europe with the Eagles this season and be a part of this special period in the club’s history. The Sky Blues’ hierarchy would likely welcome the move as it could provide the perfect opportunity for them to get Guehi in the door.
The Daily Star’s report states that City hope to secure Guehi for around £35m, a fee which is considerably below what Palace have reportedly demanded in discussions with Liverpool. With that in mind, Guardiola’s side could use Akanji in the transfer to help soften negotiations. A bid of around £25m plus Akanji could be enough to seal a deal for Guehi in what would be one of the major transfer stories of the summer.
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