Pep Guardiola makes Marc Guehi request after beating Liverpool to transfer

Marc Guehi was ineligible for the Carabao Cup semifinal second leg against Newcastle, and Manchester City will seek to have him available for the final against Arsenal

Pep Guardiola may not have Marc Guehi for a key game(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester City will seek approval from the EFL to feature Marc Guehi in March's Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

City's January acquisition missed the semifinal second leg success over Newcastle, having failed to complete his move in time for the first leg. City's other January recruit, Antoine Semenyo, had arrived prior to that fixture at St. James' Park and played in the 2-0 triumph, getting on the scoresheet.

The Manchester club signed Guehi last month after Liverpool failed to complete a deal for him in September. The Reds were expected to make another bid for the player, but didn't, allowing City to swoop in and secure the transfer.

City capitalized on a regulation amendment this season, which allowed players to represent two clubs in the same tournament, enabling Antoine Semenyo and Max Alleyne to take part in the semifinal despite featuring for Bournemouth and Watford, respectively, in previous rounds.

Pep Guardiola was also permitted to name Sverre Nypan in his squad for the second leg, as he hadn't participated in the competition while on loan at Middlesbrough.

However, Guehi is presently unable to appear at Wembley against Arsenal owing to a deadline requiring players to be registered for their second club before the semifinal first leg. This means Guehi will again have to observe from the stands despite Semenyo and Alleyne being eligible for selection.

Guehi nearly joined Liverpool, but he's now a City player(Image: Getty Images)

Following the semifinal triumph over Newcastle, Guardiola disclosed that he has asked the club to petition the authorities for a regulation amendment that would permit Guehi to feature at Wembley.

Guardiola has voiced his bewilderment as to why a player who was acquired in January won't be permitted to represent City in late March, when the Carabao Cup final is due to take place at Wembley.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola said: "Hopefully in March, we can arrive with the player's fit and hopefully you can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc Guehi can play in the final because it's difficult to understand that the club who make a big investment to pay one player who belongs to us and I don't understand why he cannot play the final

"So hopefully we write a letter, and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. He's not able to play for a rule that I don't understand why. Hopefully, they can change it."

The City manager further expanded on his position during his post-match press conference. "Hopefully, we can convince the Carabao Cup (EFL) that Marc can play the final. I don't understand why he cannot play the final," Guardiola said.

"Hopefully, we make a letter. You buy a player for a lot of money, and he is not able to play for a rule I don't understand. Hopefully, they can change it. You hire a player, and he can be disposed the next day. Hopefully, we can convince the biggest teams.

"It is difficult to understand. Apparently, Marc cannot play the second leg because he didn't play the first. And Antoine arrived before the first, so could play. And now it's the final. Why should he (Guehi) not play? Why not? We pay his salary; he is our player.

"It's like the Champions League, the last two games cannot play. I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. I don't understand the reason why he cannot play in the final in March, when I have been here for a long time.

"The rules to buy a player depends on FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League who say, okay the transfer window is open, when you buy a player, you have to play, no? It's logic. Of course, we are going to try to ask (for) him to play. Pure logic."