Liverpool and Man City are keen to sign Marc Guehi (Image: PA)

Manchester City are reportedly confident they've outmanoeuvred arch-rivals Liverpool in securing the signature of Marc Guehi. Both clubs have been locked in extensive negotiations with the Crystal Palace defender, with Liverpool nearly clinching Guehi last summer.

However, a fee couldn't be agreed upon, giving City manager Pep Guardiola the opportunity to swoop in and pursue the 25-year-old. The title challengers are optimistic about finalising a £30m deal in the coming days.

The Mirror claim City have outpaced all competitors by offering Palace a sum the London club can't refuse. For his part, Guehi is eager to play under Guardiola. The Catalan coach has been eager to bolster his defence, particularly after injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in recent matches.

OPINION

This urgency led him to press Etihad chiefs to settle on a fee with their Palace counterparts.

Guehi's contract expires in June - and some of Europe's top clubs have...