Pep Guardiola paves way for Guehi transfer by ending another star’s Man City career

Pep Guardiola did not raise his voice. He did not make a dramatic announcement. He did not call a press conference to say a goodbye. But with one calm decision, one short answer to a simple question, he quietly closed the door on a Manchester City career that once looked important, and at the same time opened another door that could bring Marc Guehi to the Etihad Stadium. In football, sometimes the loudest statements are not made with words but with actions, and this was one of those moments that told a very clear story to everyone watching closely.

Manchester City’s season has been shaken badly by injuries, especially at the heart of defence, an area Pep Guardiola values more than almost anything else. Josko Gvardiol, who was supposed to be one of the pillars of City’s defence for years, saw his season end suddenly and painfully after suffering a serious leg fracture. It was a brutal blow, not just because of his quality, but because of how important he is to Guardiola’s system. Almost at the same time, Ruben Dias, the leader, the organiser, the voice at the back, went down with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for at least six weeks. Losing both men together felt like a nightmare scenario that no amount of planning could fully protect against.

As if that was not enough, John Stones, another player Guardiola trusts deeply for big games and tactical flexibility, has also been struggling with fitness issues. Stones has never been the luckiest with injuries, and once again City found themselves unable to rely on him fully. Suddenly, a team that looked stacked with defensive options only months ago was reduced to the bare minimum. At that moment, City’s list of senior, fit central defenders looked frighteningly short, leaving Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake as the only realistic options to play week after week.

When a club like Manchester City finds itself in such a situation, fans and media naturally start looking at players who are out on loan. One name came up quickly and repeatedly. Manuel Akanji. The experienced defender, now 30 years old, was spending time on loan at Inter Milan. He knew the club, knew the system, knew Guardiola’s demands. On paper, recalling him looked like the most logical solution. It would cost nothing extra, avoid panic buying, and bring back a trusted face. For many observers, it felt almost obvious that City would push the button and bring him home.

That is why Pep Guardiola’s response was so striking. When asked about the possibility of recalling Akanji, he shut it down without hesitation. There was no long explanation, no careful political wording. The answer was simple and clear. It was not going to happen. Instead of Akanji, City chose to recall young Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford, a decision that spoke volumes about how Guardiola now sees the pecking order at the club.

By making that choice, Guardiola effectively told Akanji that his time at Manchester City was over, even though he still has 18 months left on his contract. In football terms, this was as close to a goodbye as it gets without an official statement. A player who once played important games for City, who was trusted in big moments, had been quietly moved aside. The message was clear. Guardiola would rather take a risk on youth or look elsewhere in the market than turn back to a player he no longer sees as part of his future plans.

This decision matters because it is not just about one player leaving. It is about what it allows City to do next. By closing the door on Akanji, Guardiola has made space, both emotionally and practically, for a new central defender to arrive. And that is where Marc Guehi enters the story.

Manchester City are no strangers to spending big when things go wrong. Last January, after a difficult first half of the season, they opened their wallet and brought in reinforcements without hesitation. History suggests that Guardiola does not like to sit still when he feels the balance of his squad is wrong. This January is shaping up to be another important moment. City are already close to announcing their first signing of 2026, with Antoine Semenyo set to arrive from Bournemouth in a deal worth around seventy five million euros. That move alone shows that the club is ready to act.

Guardiola, as always, has been careful with his words. He has not promised a flood of new signings. In fact, he has done the opposite, reminding everyone that City will not repeat the heavy spending of last season. But within those cautious comments, there is space for something important to happen. When he says maybe something will happen in January, that maybe carries a lot of weight, especially when you look at the current state of his defence.

Marc Guehi has been on City’s radar for some time now. The Crystal Palace defender has grown into one of the most reliable and respected centre backs in the Premier League. Calm on the ball, strong in duels, intelligent in his positioning, and comfortable playing out from the back, he fits many of the qualities Guardiola demands. Talks have already taken place, and while nothing is officially confirmed, the direction of travel feels clear.

One key detail makes this situation even more interesting. Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season. That gives Palace a difficult decision to make. Sell now or risk losing him for less later. Liverpool have long admired him and came close to signing him in the summer, but recent developments suggest Manchester City are now in pole position. The injuries at City, the decision to move on from Akanji, and Guardiola’s subtle comments all point in the same direction.

For Guardiola, this is about control. He wants defenders he fully trusts, players who understand his ideas and can execute them under pressure. Injuries have taken away that sense of control in recent weeks, and it has shown in City’s performances. Bringing in Guehi would not just be a short term fix. It would be a statement about the future, about rebuilding the defensive core around players who can grow into leaders.

The human side of this story should not be ignored. For Manuel Akanji, this is a painful moment. Football careers do not always end with applause and farewells. Sometimes they fade quietly. One day you are needed, the next day you are not. Guardiola’s decision may feel harsh, but it is part of the ruthless logic that has made City so successful. Sentiment rarely wins over strategy at this level.

At the same time, young players like Max Alleyne see opportunity where others see disappointment. Being recalled, even as an emergency option, is a sign of trust and belief. It shows that Guardiola is willing to look within the club as well as outside it. That balance between youth and experience is something he constantly tries to manage.

As January unfolds, all eyes will be on Manchester City’s next move. Will Guehi arrive and immediately slot into the heart of defence? Will City’s injury crisis ease, allowing Guardiola to rotate and manage his squad better? What is clear is that the manager has already made one decisive call that shapes everything else. By ending one chapter quietly, he has made room for another to begin.

In football, timing is everything. Guardiola understands that better than most. He knows when to hold on and when to let go. This moment feels like one of those crossroads where a single decision ripples outward, affecting careers, transfers, and the direction of a season. For City fans, it brings hope that stability can return. For rivals, it is a warning that even in difficult moments, Manchester City are always planning their next move.

Marc Guehi may not be wearing sky blue yet, but the path has been cleared. The door is open. And in the quiet way only Pep Guardiola can manage, a new story is waiting to be written at the Etihad, built on the end of another that few expected to finish this way.