The transfer saga surrounding Marc Guehi has exploded into life, with transfer authority Fabrizio Romano confirming that Manchester City have launched a "big approach" to hijack the defender’s signature. In a development that will send shockwaves through Anfield, the Premier League champions have moved decisively in the last 12 hours to present a contract offer to the Crystal Palace captain.
According to the exclusive update from Fabrizio Romano (via X), City have advanced significantly on the deal. The report states that City have "presented an important proposal" to Guehi regarding personal terms and are "ready to proceed" with formal club-to-club negotiations with Crystal Palace.
The Hijack is On
This development represents the nightmare scenario for Liverpool. For weeks, the narrative has been that the Reds were content to play the long game, relying on Guehi’s reported preference for Anfield and his contract situation (expiring in 2026) to drive the price down for a summer move. Manchester City have now aggressively called that bluff.
By tabling a concrete contract proposal now, City are effectively forcing Guehi’s hand. With Pep Guardiola facing a defensive injury crisis involving Ruben Dias and John Stones, the champions have identified Guehi not just as a squad option, but as an immediate solution. The "important proposal" suggests City are willing to place him instantly into the upper bracket of their wage structure, a financial flex that Liverpool may struggle to match mid-season.
Palace’s Position
For Crystal Palace and chairman Steve Parish, this is the bidding war they desperately needed. Faced with the prospect of losing their asset for a reduced fee—or worse, for free in 18 months—City’s entrance into the market changes the landscape. If City are "ready to proceed" with Palace, it implies they are prepared to meet the asking price, understood to be in the region of £35m-£40m.
The timing is critical. If Guehi accepts City’s personal terms, Palace will likely sanction the move swiftly to secure the funds for their own January recruitment under Oliver Glasner.
Market Reaction
The betting markets have reacted instantly to Romano’s update. The Marc Guehi next club odds have swung violently, with City now overtaking Liverpool as the clear favourites to secure his signature. The speed of City’s approach suggests this is not a drill; it is a calculated, well-funded attempt to secure England’s premier centre-back before their rivals can react.
The next 24 hours are pivotal. Unless Liverpool match City’s intensity immediately, the long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk may well be wearing sky blue by the end of the week.