Semenyo and Guehi entered negotiations with their eyes open.<\/p>\n
Both had the Premier League’s elite to choose from last month.<\/p>\n
Semenyo was a target for Manchester United<\/a>, Chelsea<\/a> and Tottenham<\/a>. Liverpool<\/a>, too, were credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, who had a \u00a365m release clause at Bournemouth<\/a>. He prioritised a move to City.<\/p>\n Guehi was admired on an even greater scale. Out of contract at Crystal Palace<\/a> at the end of this season, the England defender had suitors across Europe. <\/p>\n Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid had serious interest in signing him on a free transfer at the end of the season, while Real Madrid and Barcelona were also in the running. Liverpool<\/a>‘s interest was well-documented. Arsenal<\/a> and Tottenham<\/a> also tried to convince him to agree to move across London this summer.<\/p>\n Guehi chose City.<\/p>\n It is inconceivable either player decided to sign a long-term contract without knowing it is likely the majority of that time will be spent under a manager who isn’t Guardiola.<\/p>\n Of course, the opportunity to work for him – even if it is for six months – is one most players aren’t afforded. But that alone is unlikely to have been enough to compel Semenyo and Guehi to sign five-and-a-half-year deals.<\/p>\n City can no longer lean heavily on the idea of flourishing under Guardiola in their pitches to players.<\/p>\n According to sources, rival club executives have used the emerging narrative over the managerial situation to persuade players to ignore advances from the Blues – as if to suggest their success will wane once Guardiola is gone.<\/p>\n Nevertheless – certainly for Semenyo and Guehi – City’s pitch remains among the most competitive around, despite the uncertainty over Guardiola.<\/p>\n There is no escaping the fact they are one of the best payers in Europe, and it would be disingenuous to suggest finances weren’t a big factor in the two new signings.<\/p>\n