One of Liverpool‘s fiercest rivals are reportedly ready to enter the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Liverpool thought they had their £35millon man on deadline day after he had a medical and a five-year deal was drawn up, but Palace pulled the plug after failing to find a replacement.

And picking up Guehi for free next summer when his contract expires will be far from easy, with plenty of competition for his signature expected.

Five European giants – namely Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Juventus – have taken a shine to the England star.

And now the Daily Mirror have claimed that Manchester City are ready to challenge Liverpool in a tug-of-war for the 25-year-old.

The outlet claim that City are ‘huge admirers’ of Guehi, who captained Palace to victory over them in last season’s FA Cup final.

+5
View gallery

Manchester City are reportedly keen on rivalling Liverpool for Marc Guehi’s signature

+5
View gallery

The Crystal Palace and England star is attracting interest from top European clubs

+5
View gallery

Liverpool boss Arne Slot wanted to add Guehi to his squad but the deadline-day deal collapsed

Guehi’s stock is rising rapidly and he was at the heart of England’s defence for both of their recent World Cup qualifying victories against Andorra and Serbia, scoring in the latter.

And he is getting his first taste of European action this campaign in the Conference League, another experience which will stand him in good stead.

Many feel that Guehi is ready for the step up to a team who can challenge for the Premier League title, while he has previously been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United also.

He conducted himself with integrity throughout the transfer window but will have to wait until January, at least, for a move away from Selhurst Park.

Guehi joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and has since become one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner made clear that he did not want to lose Guehi without a replacement , stressing the defender was ‘necessary’ to the club’s hopes of enjoying a successful season.

Palace had been looking at signing Igor Julio on loan from rivals Brighton, but when that move didn’t go ahead, Guehi’s exit was put on ice.

+5
View gallery

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was desperate to keep hold of Guehi this summer

+5
View gallery

Guehi made his Conference League debut against Norwegian side Fredrikstad

‘We had a meeting in March where we talked about the situation and we had an agreement that we could sell Marc if we had the right replacement in,’ Glasner explained.

‘We wanted to have this replacement at the beginning of pre-season to be independent.

‘That was on July 9 when the season started. It’s August 31 and there is no replacement in the building so it’s clear one part of the agreement is not fulfilled.

‘That means we can’t sell Marc. It’s not a wish or gift for Oliver Glasner, it’s necessary for playing a successful season.’