A highly reliable source at The Athletic has suggested that a defender being heavily chased by both Liverpool and Manchester City has already made his preference clear, with Anfield emerging as his favoured destination. While Arsenal remain in the picture and cannot be dismissed, early indications point towards Liverpool holding the advantage in the race.
Every season, there are a few standout players who attract attention from nearly all of England’s elite clubs, and this appears to be one of those cases. Manchester City previously won a similar battle for Antoine Semenyo, but the situation surrounding Marc Guehi may unfold very differently. The Crystal Palace captain is expected to leave Selhurst Park in 2026, although City are eager to bring that timeline forward by securing his signature during the January transfer window.
Interest in Guehi is not limited to the Premier League. Several European heavyweights are also monitoring his situation closely, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona all identified as serious contenders from abroad. Despite this, the most realistic competition appears to be domestic, with Liverpool and Arsenal both keen on the England international.
Unlike City, who are pushing for an immediate deal, both Liverpool and Arsenal would reportedly prefer to wait until the end of the season, at which point Guehi could be available on a free transfer.
That strategy could prove decisive, particularly if the player himself is content to see out the campaign before making a move.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, who has extensive insight into Manchester City’s internal thinking, Guehi is leaning towards Liverpool over the reigning champions.
Lee revealed that a well-connected source, familiar with developments at both Manchester City and Crystal Palace, believes the defender would rather stay put until the summer and has a clear preference for a move to Anfield.
Speaking on the matter, Lee explained that while City are keen, Guehi does not appear convinced by a January switch and instead favours a summer departure, with Liverpool currently his preferred option.
However, Arsenal remain a factor, and Lee later acknowledged that while he had not personally heard strong confirmation regarding the Gunners, their interest aligns with other information he has received.
Should Liverpool succeed in landing Guehi, the expectation within the club is that he would step straight into the starting lineup alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence. Such a move would have major implications for Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires in the summer.
Even if the French defender were to remain at Anfield, his performances this season have fallen well below expectations, placing his long-term role in doubt.
From Arne Slot’s perspective, the lack of credible alternatives at centre-back has been a persistent issue. Konate has largely retained his place in the starting eleven due to a shortage of options, rather than consistently strong displays.
Giovanni Leoni is currently sidelined with a serious ACL injury, while Joe Gomez, when fit, has often been deployed as emergency cover at right-back rather than in central defence.
With Conor Bradley ruled out for the remainder of the season and preparing for knee surgery, Gomez is once again expected to rotate with Jeremie Frimpong on the right side of defence. That situation leaves Konate effectively unchallenged, regardless of form, further highlighting the need for reinforcements.
As a result, strengthening at centre-back has become a clear priority for Liverpool heading into 2026.
The club has already begun addressing this need, taking proactive steps by completing a triple academy recruitment move aimed at bolstering defensive depth for the future. While those signings may not offer an immediate solution, they underline Liverpool’s long-term commitment to reinforcing a position that has become increasingly vulnerable.
