There's a surprise, he's leaving with Pep Guardiola, Xabi Alonso has already ruled him out, goodbye Madrid

Pep Guardiola is experiencing the most delicate moments of his long and successful career as a coach.

After dominating the Premier League with an iron fist for more than half a decade, last season Manchester City was on the verge of missing out on the Champions League.

The tremendous quality of his squad was what ultimately rescued a season that could have ended in true tragedy.

The experience left the Catalan coach shaken, and this summer he has driven a major overhaul in the City locker room.

Key footballers like Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson have left, while young talents like Rayan Cherki have arrived at the Etihad to bring new energy to the project. However, Guardiola wants more and has already requested a signing for the summer of 2026.

The name that excites Pep Guardiola

Manchester City's coach is very clear about whom he wants to add to his defense. It is a footballer who, despite being on Real Madrid's radar, will not end up wearing white.

We're talking about Marc Guéhi, Crystal Palace's center-back who has decided not to renew his contract and will be a free agent on July 1, 2026.

Guardiola believes his profile fits perfectly at City. Young, fast, forceful, and able to play the ball out from the back.

A modern center-back who would also arrive under very advantageous conditions, something that excites the English board. In Manchester, they are convinced that the English international could become a key piece in their new project.

Real Madrid's interest

Marc Guéhi's contract situation has not gone unnoticed by Europe's giants. In fact, Real Madrid also included him on their list of potential signings.

Xabi Alonso asked the Madrid board for a new center-back to strengthen the defense, and Marc Guéhi was one of the highest-rated candidates.

However, Florentino Pérez and his team have decided to strongly back Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool's center-back whose contract also ends in 2026.

The Frenchman has the support of the coaching staff and the locker room, which is why Guéhi has been ruled out, leaving Pep Guardiola free to secure his services.

A unique opportunity for Manchester City

In this context, everything suggests that Manchester City will have a clear path to sign Guéhi.

The operation would be seen as a masterstroke by Pep Guardiola, who would strengthen his defense with a young, top-level footballer without having to make a major outlay.

For Real Madrid, on the other hand, the bet on Konaté sets the course for the defense of the future. Meanwhile, in England, they are already dreaming of seeing Marc Guéhi in sky blue, ready to take City's defense to the next level.