Outmaneuvering rivals Liverpool and Arsenal
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Liverpool nearly secured a deal for Crystal Palace’s centre-back and captain Marc Guéhi on transfer deadline day. However, the move collapsed as the Eagles couldn’t find a suitable replacement. Fast forward six months, with Guéhi’s contract at Palace set to expire in June, Manchester City has clinched the deal for the 25-year-old. The signing was confirmed on Monday, and Guéhi expressed his excitement in a club statement: “I am thrilled and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player. This transfer feels like the culmination of all my hard work in my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an extraordinary squad.”
The transfer fee is anticipated to be around €23 million, alongside approximately €11.6 million in bonuses and a sell-on clause. Guéhi is expected to sign a contract that runs until 2031. Although Pep Guardiola’s team boasts impressive depth in the centre-back position, they have recently been affected by long-term injuries to Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with John Stones also facing fitness issues. Currently, the only senior centre-backs available are Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Aké. Both Liverpool and Arsenal had shown significant interest, with foreign clubs such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich also in the race. Yet, many clubs preferred to wait for a free transfer this summer, making Manchester City’s early move a strategic win.
Is Manchester City the right choice for Marc Guéhi?
Marc Guéhi had numerous top clubs vying for his signature, making this move crucial for his career at the age of 25. Last season, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City were the top three teams in the Premier League, and each could argue they were an appealing destination for the England international. In terms of securing regular playing time, Liverpool may have been the prime option, given their current defensive lineup of only two senior centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté. With Van Dijk now 34 and Konaté’s contract expiring in the summer, Guéhi could have established himself as a leading figure in Liverpool’s defense.
However, Liverpool is facing challenges this season, compounded by concerns surrounding players like Mohamed Salah, potentially making it a less stable environment. Meanwhile, Manchester City, despite being known for their trophy success over the past decade, experienced a trophy-less season last year. Pep Guardiola’s uncertain future, with his contract lasting until 2027, raises questions about the club’s stability as a trophy contender. Additionally, while Guéhi could start immediately, there may be intense competition for his position once Dias and Gvardiol return from injury.
At Arsenal, Guéhi would face similar challenges regarding competition, vying for a spot against one of the best centre-back pairings in the world, Gabriel and William Saliba. Even if changes were made in the squad, a first-choice place would not be guaranteed. Yet, Arsenal arguably presents the most stable locker room and offers a strong chance for trophy success in the near future. Mikel Arteta’s team still needs to prove they can clinch silverware this season, and Guéhi’s potential signing was an opportunity too enticing for many clubs to overlook. Manchester City’s proactive approach to secure Guéhi this month will be evaluated in time. Will it turn out to be the right decision for last season’s FA Cup winners? Only time will tell.
