Manchester City is reportedly preparing a decisive move to spoil Liverpool’s final week of the transfer window, as Pep Guardiola’s squad gears up to “snatch” a key target that the Anfield club has been pursuing.

Liverpool has been chasing Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but it’s actually defender Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) who is considered the most crucial target for The Kop in the closing days of the transfer market. Even manager Arne Slot has downplayed the importance of the Isak deal, implying that Guehi is the essential piece Liverpool needs to strengthen their squad.

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According to the Daily Star, Manchester City is looking to disrupt these plans. If City sells both Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake—players reportedly attracting interest from Galatasaray and Everton—Pep Guardiola is expected to turn his attention to signing Guehi. The English center-back is valued at around €40 million. Crystal Palace are reportedly willing to sell as Guehi’s contract expires next summer, and the club doesn’t want to risk losing him for free.

“It’s a tricky situation,” admitted Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish. “In Europe, financial regulations are much stricter than in the Premier League. No club wants to let a player leave on a free transfer. We’ll have to resolve this within the next 11 days.”

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Meanwhile, Slot has sought to reassure fans about Liverpool’s attacking options ahead of their match against Newcastle at St James’ Park. The Dutch manager stressed that his team has sufficient offensive resources:

“If we count Florian Wirtz as an attacking option, we have five choices up front. Darwin has left, but Hugo arrived, Luis also departed, so Florian can be seen as a replacement. Jeremie Frimpong, when he returns, can also play as a winger. That gives us six players for three positions.”

With the impressive pre-season progress of young talent Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool seems more determined to secure Guehi rather than Isak before the transfer window closes. City’s interest in the 25-year-old defender is certainly unwelcome news for The Kop.