12 hours ago
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Manchester City are looking at their options for next summer and considering a defender in high demand.
Manchester City are considering Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on a free transfer in what will be an important summer for their defence. Guehi could be a free agent at the end of the season, having told Crystal Palace he will not renew a deal that is expiring in six months.
Liverpool were hopeful of signing the England international back in the summer window but found Palace ultimately unwilling to sell. The Premier League champions could return in January to try to persuade the South London club to cash in for the second half of the campaign.
Guehi is also expected to have tempting offers from abroad, with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid among the clubs credited with interest. However, City have also seen enough to put Guehi on a shortlist for next summer as they plan changes in their defence.
John Stones is out of contract at the end of the season and a thigh injury has not helped his attempts to convince City he should get a new deal. Nathan Ake has 18 months left on his deal but has barely played this season and Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has suggested the defender is not happy with his situation.
City signed young centre-backs Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah in January 2025 as they planned for the future. Reis is getting regular game time in Spain with Girona and is hopeful of being considered at the Etihad next season; Khusanov is already there and played well this season before injury knocked him out of the team, while Bah is also coming along at Nice.
City have not ruled out a move for Guehi though after being impressed with how he has matured in the Premier League. The Palace captain would provide more established competition for first-choice pairing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
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