Manchester City defender Marc Guehi has opened up about narrowly missing a summer move to Liverpool, a transfer that could have dramatically altered his career trajectory this season.
Guehi, who joined City from Crystal Palace last week, made an immediate impact by helping his new side to a victory over Wolves on his debut.
The 25-year-old revealed that the deal with Liverpool was almost completed, with his medical essentially finished, only for the move to collapse at the final hours of the transfer window after Palace pulled out.
Speaking about the episode for the first time, Guehi said: “The medical was pretty much done, and then it got pulled at the last minute. So, yeah, I was quite close (to joining Liverpool). I was OK. Yeah I was OK.”
Keeping focus at Palace
Despite the disappointment, Guehi maintained a professional mindset, choosing to focus on his responsibilities at Crystal Palace rather than dwelling on what might have been.
“My mindset is always move on to the next one. God’s got a plan for me. Just focus on what I could do for Palace,” he explained.
He added that showing respect for Palace and their decision-making was important. “I can’t speak on anyone’s behalf or about anyone else’s decision. That’s their life.
“But getting bought by Palace was such an honour, a blessing, so it would be doing Palace a disservice if I was acting a certain way. The least I could do was show up to work every single day, shut my mouth and keep my head down. I think that’s most important.”
Looking ahead at City
Now settled at Manchester City, Guehi expressed confidence that his move is the right step for his development.
“I’m just glad that I got to move over the line. I’m really confident that this is the place for me to improve, to grow as a player. So I’m glad I could get over the line.”
