Marc Guehi has insisted there was only one club he was interested in joining once he learned of Manchester City’s interest.

The England international came close to signing for Liverpool last summer before a much-anticipated move collapsed in the closing stages of the transfer window.

After remaining at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace were faced with a difficult decision earlier this month when it became clear that their club captain was unwilling to sign a new contract, with his existing deal entering its final six months.

Premier League leaders Arsenal also expressed an interest, despite their already well-stocked defence, but the Gunners were reportedly keen to wait until the summer to sign the former Chelsea centre-back on a free transfer.

Guehi, however, insists he only had eyes for City and is eager to help Pep Guardiola’s side return to dominating English football.

He said:
“There’s been some talk and a lot of noise. But when they asked if I wanted to come to City, there was only one answer.

“I know what winning feels like and I won’t stop until I get that same feeling again. A lot has been said, but I’ll let my football do the talking.”

If City are to return to trophy-winning ways this season, Guehi will need to make an immediate impact given the defensive injury crisis currently plaguing Guardiola’s squad.

City are without centre-backs John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week because of fitness issues.

The inexperienced pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne, aged 21 and 20 respectively, have started the last four matches, but Guehi’s arrival significantly boosts Guardiola’s options.

“First and foremost, it’s such an honour — such a big club to come and play for,” added Guehi, who joined City for £20 million.

“I’ve always been obsessed with getting better and wanting to improve, and that’s something I constantly strive for. This is the perfect place for me to do that.

“I’ve heard so much about the club — the fans, the players speak for themselves, the manager.

“It’s definitely the right environment for me to improve and get better. Hopefully, I can bring what I have to the table and help everyone here as well.”

Asked about City’s dominance under Guardiola, Guehi said:
“Absolute domination, to be honest, and it’s been great to see how far the club has come.

“The growth — and the continued growth the club wants to achieve — is amazing.

“I just want to come in, do my part, and help the club see how far it can continue to grow.”

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has added fresh context to his public back-and-forth with Lisandro Martinez, revealing that the defender once messaged him privately to say he had “lost all respect” for him as a pundit.

Scholes has been a long-time critic of Martinez during the centre-back’s three-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and once again took aim at the Argentine ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes questioned Martinez’s ability to cope with Erling Haaland, joking about the defender’s size alongside former teammate Nicky Butt.

Butt quipped that City’s talismanic striker “would pick Martinez up and run with him” like “a dad chasing a toddler down the road,” before Scholes added that Haaland “would score and then throw him in the net.”

Martinez, however, delivered one of his finest performances in a United shirt, helping to nullify Haaland as the Red Devils claimed a shock 2–0 victory over Manchester City in Michael Carrick’s first match in charge.

After the game, Martinez responded to Scholes’ remarks, insisting he was unfazed by the criticism.

“Honestly, he can say whatever he wants,” Martinez said.
“I told him already — if he wants to say something to me, he can come wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.”

Scholes replied a day later via Instagram, striking a lighter tone.

“Someone’s had a good game. Was really happy for you… Tea, no sugar pls,” he wrote.

Now, speaking on the first podcast episode since the derby, Scholes attempted to calm the situation, admitting his comments may have been poorly phrased.

“It’s very much tongue-in-cheek, everything we talk about,” said the 11-time Premier League winner.
“I think the point we were trying to make was that, physically, they are a mismatch.

“Maybe it could have been worded better. It doesn’t sound great when you watch it back, but we were just having a laugh. Credit to him — he was brilliant on the day.”

Scholes also revealed a previous private exchange with Martinez on Instagram.

“We messaged some time ago. He wasn’t happy with something I’d said — I can’t remember exactly what — but he told me he’d lost all respect for me,” Scholes explained.

“You’re at Manchester United, probably the biggest club in the world. At some point, like we did as players, you’re going to take criticism and you’ve got to deal with it.

“I don’t remember Becks [David Beckham] fighting back.”

Despite praising Martinez’s derby performance, Scholes remains unconvinced the defender can anchor a title-winning side.

“He’s had one brilliant game,” Scholes said.
“When you start talking, football has a habit of biting you back.

“I haven’t changed my opinion yet. You’ve got to do it over a period of time if you want to win leagues. What he did on Saturday was brilliant — but consistency matters.

“They’ve got Arsenal on Sunday, so we’ll see.”

Nicky Butt was less conciliatory, urging Martinez to accept criticism as part of modern football.

“First and foremost, he was brilliant — fair play to him,” Butt said.
“He went man-to-man with probably the best striker in the world and did really well.

“But we’re podcasters — it’s like three lads in a pub talking. It’s tongue-in-cheek. Obviously Haaland isn’t going to pick him up and run with him — it’s a figure of speech.

“When players get so upset about media comments and start telling people to come to their house… it’s like, grow up. That’s football.”

Julian Alvarez is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League after Chelsea registered their interest in signing the Atletico Madrid forward.

Alvarez has enjoyed a productive spell in the Spanish capital since completing an £82m move from Manchester City in 2024, scoring 29 goals in his debut season with Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old Argentina international has continued that form this campaign, netting a further 11 goals so far.

While Alvarez is settled at Atletico, the forward had hoped to add more silverware to his collection after leaving Manchester City — something that has yet to materialise under Diego Simeone.

Atletico finished third in La Liga last season and currently sit fourth, eight points behind leaders and defending champions Barcelona.

The former River Plate striker was linked with a return to England ahead of last summer’s transfer window, with both Liverpool and Arsenal considering moves before pursuing alternative targets. Arsenal went on to sign Viktor Gyökeres in a £64m deal from Sporting CP, while Liverpool brought in two high-profile forwards — Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Several European heavyweights are now monitoring Alvarez ahead of a potential summer move, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain long-standing admirers of the former South American Footballer of the Year.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have joined the growing list of clubs interested in securing Alvarez’s signature. Reports in Spain have echoed that claim and suggest the striker would not be opposed to returning to the Premier League.

Chelsea spent close to £100m last summer on forwards João Pedro and Liam Delap, but neither has fully convinced. Pedro has fared better, scoring eight goals in all competitions, while Delap has managed just one Premier League goal.

Alvarez was never a guaranteed starter during his time at Manchester City, yet still scored 36 goals across two seasons and won the Champions League, FA Cup, and two Premier League titles.

Atletico Madrid have shown no desire to sell, but it is believed a deal could be considered if interested clubs are willing to pay around €100m (£87m).

Addressing speculation about his future last month, Alvarez said:
“Look, it doesn’t bother me. I try not to pay much attention, but I know what’s being said. It’s all over social media, and I think it’s more online talk than what’s actually happening.

“I’m very focused on this season with Atletico Madrid — on continuing to grow as a player and on winning.”

Next up for Alvarez is a crucial Champions League group-stage clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. Simeone’s side currently sit eighth in the standings, with the top eight qualifying automatically for the knockout rounds.

Chelsea, one of Alvarez’s reported Premier League suitors and now under the management of Liam Rosenior following Enzo Maresca’s departure, are currently 13th in the league — two points outside the automatic European qualification places.