Liverpool's position on Marc Guehi transfer emerges as Man City strikes $27M deal

Manchester City are close to signing Marc Guehi for $27M after Liverpool saw a deal for the Crystal Palace star fall through last summer

Marc Guehi is set to join Manchester City in a $27M deal(Image: Sebastian Frej, Getty Images)

Manchester City are reportedly on the brink of securing long-term Liverpool target Marc Guehi.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Guehi is nearing a move to the Etihad, with a reported fee of around $27 million agreed for the player whose contract at the London club expires at the end of the season.

Liverpool had previously struck a deal believed to be worth an initial $47M for Guehi on deadline day in September, only for Palace to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to their inability to secure another centre-back.

The Reds have maintained their interest in the player and were prepared to make an offer in the summer when the England international was anticipated to draw attention from numerous clubs.

However, City's urgent need to bolster their centre-back options due to an injury crisis has led them to pursue Guehi, with Palace accepting the fee rather than risk losing the 25-year-old on a free transfer in a few months' time.

The Liverpool ECHO understands that Liverpool does not view signing Guehi this month as a market opportunity compared to last September and the upcoming summer, and is therefore unlikely to alter their stance over making a late bid to outdo City.

Glasner, who also announced his departure as Palace boss at the end of the season, stated on Friday afternoon: "My understanding is that a deal with Marc is in its final stages. It is not done, but as a result, Marc doesn't play for us.

"I mentioned it a few weeks ago, I was pretty clear, every player and depending on his contract has their price and if we want to do it.

Guehi nearly signed for Liverpool last summer(Image: Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

"When the player says, 'I want to move', it looks like that is going to happen now.

"Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever but reality is different. I talked to him, it stays between us but I think Marc has shown it in the summer transfer window, it in the whole season so far that he was 100% committed.

"I wish him all the best for his career, he will have a great one. He's still at the beginning, he has a fantastic future."