Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has now given Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City his trademark ‘here we go’ confirmation for January, following Liverpool’s failure to secure his signature over the summer.
The Reds were close to completing a deal for Guehi from Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window before the Eagles withdrew from negotiations while the England international was undergoing his medical.
Liverpool have maintained their interest in Guehi, but it had appeared increasingly likely that the Crystal Palace centre-back would depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Romano disclosed earlier this week that Liverpool are “really pushing” to land Guehi on a free, with Arsenal also having been “calling”, but it was Manchester City who were actively pursuing an immediate deal rather than waiting until summer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “I can tell you: The real intention of the player has always been to move in the summer on a free transfer.
“Liverpool are really pushing. Arsenal are calling because Arteta is a big fan. With these two clubs insisting, Bayern also having some meetings for Guehi, but Upamecano is expected to sign a new contract.
“Then Manchester City have been clear; they will try, they want to make an important proposal, and they want to go strong for Marc Guehi in this January window.
“So, Man City will try also next week. If the player accepts, Manchester City are prepared to make an agreement with Crystal Palace – they don’t see any problems with that.
“But, it’s on the player, and his plan has always been to move in the summer on a free.”
Romano later revealed on Friday morning that City had stepped up their pursuit of Guehi, with a “big approach” made within the previous 12 hours.
He wrote on X: ‘EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City advance on Marc Guehi deal as big approach has been made in the last 12h. Manchester City presented important proposal to Guehi in terms of contract, eventually ready to proceed also with Crystal Palace. Deal now closer with #MCFC.’
He then followed up by adding: ‘Marc Guehi to Manchester City, HERE WE GO! Official proposal accepted by Crystal Palace right now — understand fee will be around £20m. Guehi has ACCEPTED move to #MCFC. Exclusive story, now confirmed.’
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner addressed Guehi’s situation last week, saying: “Everybody wants that he plays for Crystal Palace, signs a new contract and stays here for ever.
“On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says: ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue.’ We have to do it and try to get the best. That’s why I’m always saying: ‘I don’t know.’ Because this is different.”
Glasner continued: “There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naïve not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”