Manchester City, Liverpool Rival for Free-Agent Defender Marc Guehi

Liverpool and Manchester City are set to compete fiercely to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on a free transfer next summer after a last-minute £35 million move to Liverpool collapsed. Guehi, 25, has reaffirmed his commitment to Palace for the current season, ruling out any January move, while several European giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Juventus have also shown interest. Liverpool believes they have an advantage in securing Guehi's services, but Manchester City’s newfound interest adds significant competition, potentially driving up his contract value due to his quality and age. Chelsea has been linked to Guehi, but a return there seems unlikely given his academy roots at the club. Additionally, Bayern Munich is reportedly considering Guehi as a future defensive option, highlighting the wide-ranging interest in the England international. This transfer saga underscores a high-profile battle among top Premier League and European clubs for one of the league's most promising defenders.