Nathan Ake for Marc Guehi would make all the sense in the world. That is the clear message coming from former football executive Keith Wyness, and when you look closely at the situation at both Manchester City and Crystal Palace, it becomes hard to argue against him. This is one of those rare transfer ideas that seems to benefit everyone involved. The clubs, the players, the managers, and even the fans could all come out of it feeling satisfied. In modern football, that does not happen often, which is why this story has begun to gather serious attention behind the scenes.
Marc Guehi has quietly become one of the most respected defenders in the Premier League over the last few seasons. Since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea, he has grown into a leader, a captain, and a symbol of the club’s progress. Calm on the ball, strong in the tackle, excellent in reading the game, Guehi has developed into the kind of defender that top teams look for when they want reliability rather than noise. He does not shout, he does not dive into reckless challenges, and he does not chase headlines. Instead, he does his job week after week, often against some of the best attackers in England.
But now, Palace are facing a serious problem. Guehi is out of contract this summer. That means time is no longer on their side. If they do nothing, they risk losing their captain for nothing, watching him walk away on a free transfer after years of development. For a club like Crystal Palace, that would be a painful outcome. They are not a club that can afford to let valuable assets leave without receiving something in return. Every big sale matters. Every transfer decision can shape their future for years.
Manchester City, on the other hand, find themselves in a very different situation, yet facing a problem of their own. Pep Guardiola’s side have built a squad that many consider one of the best in football history. Depth, quality, intelligence, and flexibility define this City team. But even the strongest squads can be tested by injuries, and that is exactly what has happened. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, two key defensive figures, have both suffered injuries. Suddenly, Guardiola is looking at his options and seeing the need for reinforcement, especially in central defence.
This is where Marc Guehi enters the picture. City have admired him for a while. His style suits Guardiola’s philosophy almost perfectly. Guehi is comfortable playing out from the back, confident under pressure, and tactically disciplined. He does not panic when pressed, and he understands positioning at a high level. For a manager like Guardiola, these qualities are gold. Defending is not just about tackling; it is about decision-making, awareness, and intelligence. Guehi ticks those boxes.
However, there is the issue of cost. Palace know what Guehi is worth. Even with his contract running down, they would still demand a significant fee if they were to sell him in January. At the same time, City are not a club that likes to overpay, especially when they already have several defenders on their books. This is where Keith Wyness’s idea becomes interesting, and perhaps even clever.
Related Posts:
Nathan Ake is a player who has been incredibly important for Manchester City. He may not always grab the headlines, but his value within the squad is undeniable. Versatile, dependable, and tactically smart, Ake has filled in across the back line whenever Guardiola has needed him. Left-back, centre-back, emergency cover, Ake has done it all without complaint. He has also been part of City’s biggest successes, including their historic treble-winning season.
But football moves quickly. As City continue to evolve, Ake’s role has slightly changed. He is no longer the automatic first choice when everyone is fit. Younger players are coming through, new signings are arriving, and Guardiola is constantly refreshing his options. Ake, now in his late twenties, is at a stage in his career where regular football matters more than squad depth. Sitting on the bench at City, even at the best club in the world, is not ideal for a player who still has many good years ahead of him.
This is why the idea of swapping Nathan Ake for Marc Guehi starts to make sense. From Palace’s point of view, they would not be losing Guehi for nothing. Instead, they would be receiving an experienced Premier League defender, a proven winner, and someone who could immediately slot into their back line. Ake brings leadership, calmness, and a winning mentality that could be priceless for a club like Palace.
Ake would also fit well at Selhurst Park. Palace are a team that often defend deep, rely on structure, and look to stay compact. Ake’s discipline and positional awareness would suit that approach perfectly. He may not have the raw physical presence of some centre-backs, but he makes up for it with intelligence and timing. Palace fans would quickly appreciate his work ethic and professionalism.
From City’s perspective, bringing in Guehi would solve a current problem while also planning for the future. Guehi is younger than Ake and could become a long-term part of Guardiola’s defensive rotation. He would not need much time to adapt to the Premier League because he already knows it inside out. That is a huge advantage. Many signings fail not because they lack quality, but because they struggle to adjust. Guehi would arrive ready.
Keith Wyness’s claim that the deal would make all the sense in the world is rooted in this balance. It is not just about numbers or contracts. It is about timing, needs, and direction. Palace need to avoid losing their captain for free. City need defensive cover and future planning. Ake needs regular football. Guehi needs the next step in his career. When all these lines intersect, a swap deal starts to look logical rather than complicated.
Of course, football transfers are never that simple. There are wages, personal terms, agents, and player preferences to consider. Ake would need to be convinced that Palace is the right move for him. Guehi would need to believe that he can fight for his place at City and continue developing under Guardiola. But these are not impossible obstacles. In fact, they are the kind of conversations that happen every day in football offices across Europe.
One important detail in this saga is the fact that Guehi is expected to leave Palace anyway. If not to City, then to another big club. His contract situation makes that almost inevitable. Palace have already accepted that reality. The question is not whether he will go, but how and when. Selling him in January, especially if they can get a player like Ake in return, would be a smart piece of business.
Manchester City’s interest in Guehi has grown stronger because of their injury situation. Guardiola is known for being calm in public, but behind the scenes he is always planning. Losing Dias and Gvardiol at the same time exposes how thin even a strong squad can become. Guardiola does not like taking unnecessary risks. Bringing in a defender who already understands Premier League football would give him peace of mind for the second half of the season.
There is also the England factor. Guehi is an England international, and his stock continues to rise. Playing for Manchester City would put him in the spotlight even more, especially ahead of major tournaments. Training every day with world-class players, learning from Guardiola, and competing at the highest level could take his game to another level. That is a powerful motivation for any ambitious footballer.
For Ake, the move could feel like a step sideways rather than backwards. Palace may not compete for titles, but they offer something City cannot guarantee him right now: regular starts. Ake would likely become a key figure in Palace’s defence, possibly even a leader. That responsibility could be refreshing after years of rotating roles at City.
Keith Wyness’s comments have added fuel to the discussion because he speaks from experience. He understands how clubs think, how deals are structured, and how timing influences decisions. When he says the deal makes sense for both sides, he is looking beyond fan emotion and focusing on football logic.
Fans, of course, will have mixed reactions. Some City supporters may feel sentimental about Ake, remembering his crucial performances in big matches. Some Palace fans may struggle with the idea of losing Guehi, their captain and symbol. But football is a business as much as it is a passion. Clubs that survive and grow are often the ones willing to make tough but sensible decisions.
As January progresses, the pressure will increase. Palace cannot afford to wait too long. City will not want to gamble with their defensive depth. Every injury update, every match, every rumour will add another layer to the story. The transfer window has a way of turning logical ideas into dramatic sagas, and this one has all the ingredients.
Whether the swap actually happens remains to be seen. Negotiations could collapse. Another club could enter the race for Guehi. Guardiola could decide to trust his existing options. But the idea itself will not go away easily. It is too neat, too balanced, too sensible to be dismissed quickly.
In modern football, sense is often sacrificed for spectacle. But sometimes, just sometimes, the obvious move is the right one. Nathan Ake for Marc Guehi might not be the flashiest transfer in the world, but it could be one of the smartest. And as Keith Wyness suggests, when you look at the needs of Manchester City and Crystal Palace side by side, it really does make all the sense in the world.
