Manchester City and Liverpool Compete for Marc Guéhi in January

Manchester City is set to compete with Liverpool for the signing of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi during the upcoming January transfer window. This development follows Liverpool’s previous interest in the 25-year-old, who has been a key target for the club since the summer.

Liverpool initially pursued Guéhi with a £35 million bid, which Crystal Palace accepted before withdrawing from the deal at the last moment. The club’s management cited the inability to secure a preferred replacement as the reason for the last-minute change. As the January window approaches, Liverpool hopes to negotiate a lower fee rather than waiting until Guéhi becomes a free agent in the summer of 2024. In a twist, Manchester City is now looking to take advantage of the situation, joining the race for the highly sought-after defender.

In addition to City and Liverpool, several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, have expressed interest in Guéhi. This competitive landscape could significantly impact the terms of any potential transfer.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, remains a topic of speculation as he continues to consider a move to the Saudi Pro League. Despite previously rejecting offers from clubs such as Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ittihad, there are indications that these clubs are still keen on securing the midfielder’s signature. An offer of £80 million was reportedly on the table, but Fernandes opted to remain at Old Trafford in light of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Looking ahead, United may be open to allowing Fernandes to leave at the end of the current season when he will have just one year remaining on his contract, with an option to extend until 2028. Meanwhile, the club is also interested in acquiring Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion, although any deal for the Cameroonian midfielder is expected to exceed £100 million.

In other transfer news, Belgian international Yannick Carrasco is eager to leave Saudi club Al Shabab for a return to Europe, with a potential move to Besiktas reportedly forthcoming. Carrasco, who has previously attracted interest from various European clubs, is focused on ensuring that he remains competitive for the World Cup in 2026.

Additionally, Khephren Thuram, a midfielder for Juventus, has garnered interest from both a Saudi Pro League team and a leading European club. Nevertheless, Juventus views Thuram as an integral part of their future plans and has no intention of letting him go. The player himself has expressed a desire to remain with the Italian side.

As the January transfer window approaches, several clubs are positioning themselves for strategic moves. Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Newcastle United have made Jean-Philippe Mateta a priority, with Crystal Palace reportedly demanding £40 million for the striker. Meanwhile, Manchester United is also contemplating loan options for goalkeeper André Onana and defender Tyrell Malacia.

The transfer landscape continues to evolve, with clubs navigating complex negotiations and potential player movements before the window opens. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as these stories develop.