Man City told to hijack Liverpool transfer for 25-year-old to address "Achilles heel"

Manchester City should be going all in for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi this summer, as the centre-back area is the Achilles heel in Pep Guardiola's team, Stuart Pearce has exclusively told Sports Mole.

The Sky Blues spent big at the start of the summer window with the captures of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, while talented teenage midfielder Sverre Nypan has also arrived from Rosenborg.

However, the Citizens are yet to add reinforcements to the heart of their defence, despite Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake all entering their 30s and struggling with injuries in recent times.

While City did bring in Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah - currently on loan at Nice - in January, Pearce believes that there is still a weakness that needs to be addressed, as the current centre-back situation 'worries' him slightly.

“When they won the Champions League a couple of years ago, I think they won it on being very, very tough to score against," the 63-year-old said. "That was their key that season. Everything fell into place.

"The back four was pretty consistent and played extremely well together. Kyle Walker dealt with any problems. They had that extra bit at the back. That was their strong card.

Pearce 'worried' by Man City centre-back situation as Guehi transfer claim made

"It does worry me a little bit. If I was in their situation, Marc Guehi would be one I would go after. I'm a big fan of this kid. He's got the ability to deal with things one-on-one on the counter-attack.

"You've got to be good at that if you're a Manchester City player in the expansive way they play. But if anything's going to be their Achilles heel, it's going to be that back line again.”

Guehi has now entered the last 12 months of his contract with FA Cup winners Palace, although it is believed that the Eagles will still hold out for around £40m to £50m to let the England international depart in the current window.

There have been no credible reports linking Guehi with Man City so far this summer; instead, Premier League champions Liverpool appear to be the frontrunners, with Tottenham Hotspur also tagging along behind.

The Reds have already lost Jarell Quansah and Nat Phillips this summer, while Ibrahima Konate is also in the final year of his contract and has apparently had his head turned by Real Madrid.

Pearce picks early Premier League title winner between Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool

Despite their centre-back shortage, Liverpool have pulled off the marquee signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, while a record deal for Alexander Isak is looking increasingly likely.

As a result, Pearce has backed the Reds to beat his old club and Arsenal to the Premier League title again next season, adding: "Arne Slot has done a brilliant job. Credit to Jurgen before him, it was a real good job to inherit.

"But he rekindled the likes of Van Dijk, Salah got going again, Gravenberch was arguably the best midfield player in the league last year and they've recruited well.

“If had to pick a winner of the Premier League today, it would be Liverpool. I think they've recruited well on top of what they already had, and they seem in a very solid place at this moment in time.”

Pearce saw out his playing career at Man City, helping propel the Sky Blues to the 2001-02 First Division title before spending two years in charge of the Citizens between 2005 and 2007.

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Stuart Pearce was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of BresBet.