Marc Guehi has disclosed that talks with England colleagues Phil Foden and John Stones played a key role in his decision to leave Crystal Palace for Manchester City.
The centre-back completed a £20m move to the Etihad on Monday and made his first appearance for the champions in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Wolves.
Guehi impressed on debut, leading City for both attempted passes (105) and completed passes (98), while only Rodri recorded more touches, with 117 compared to Guehi’s 115.
Despite strong interest from several clubs, the defender admitted that conversations with Foden and Stones ultimately influenced his choice.
“We’ve been talking for quite a while and obviously talked with different clubs,” said Guehi.
“I felt from conversations, through talking with some of the players here, that this was the place for me to improve, to get better, and just to help as much as possible.
“Phil and John, conversations with the manager [Pep Guardiola], conversations with [director of football] Hugo [Viana], so it’s been great.”
Guehi was approaching the final months of his Crystal Palace contract and had been linked with moves to Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Liverpool were also believed to be keen, with the 25-year-old close to joining the reigning Premier League champions during the summer window before the deal collapsed late on.
“Very close, very close,” he said when asked how near the transfer was to being completed.
“The medical was pretty much done, and then it got pulled at the last minute. So, yeah, I was quite close.
“I was OK. My mindset’s always move on to the next one, but my mindset is what will be, will be.
“God’s got a plan for me. Just move on to the next one. It was just focusing on what I could do for Palace.
“It feels like it’s been going on forever. But, you know, I’m just glad that I got to move over the line.
“I’m really confident that this is the place for me to improve, to grow as a player. So I’m glad I could get over the line.”