Manchester City Close In On Marc Guehi Transfer Amid Liverpool Setback

Manchester City have surged ahead in the race to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, with the transfer saga taking a dramatic turn this January window. After months of speculation and a failed summer swoop by Liverpool, it now appears that Pep Guardiola's Cityzens are on the verge of sealing a deal for the England international, delivering a major blow to their Premier League rivals.

Fabrizio Romano, the ever-reliable transfer insider, broke the news on January 16, 2026, stating, "Manchester City advance on Marc Guehi deal as big approach has been made in the last 12h. Manchester City presented important proposal to Guehi in terms of contract, eventually ready to proceed also with Crystal Palace. Deal now closer with #MCFC." According to Romano and other trusted sources, City have presented a significant contract proposal to Guehi and are prepared to move quickly with Palace to finalize the transfer this month.

The move comes at a critical time for Manchester City, who are grappling with a defensive injury crisis. Both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are sidelined—Dias is out for another month with a hamstring injury, while Gvardiol is not expected back until May. This has forced Guardiola's hand, leading to the recall of 20-year-old academy graduate Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford, with the youngster starting in recent matches against Brighton, Exeter, and Newcastle. City’s urgent need for reinforcements has made the acquisition of Guehi a top priority.

Guehi, 25, has been a rock at the back for Crystal Palace since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2021. Over his tenure, he has racked up 188 appearances and scored 11 goals, cementing his place as a leader on and off the pitch. Last season, he captained Palace to both FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, further enhancing his reputation as one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders. Despite the swirling uncertainty about his future, Guehi has missed just one Premier League game in the 2025/26 campaign and has contributed four goal involvements in 20 appearances—third highest in the Palace squad.

City’s pursuit of Guehi has not been without competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the England international. Liverpool, in particular, came close to landing Guehi on deadline day last summer, only for the deal to collapse when Palace failed to secure a replacement in time. The Reds reportedly offered £35 million for his services but have not followed up with a fresh bid this January. With Ibrahima Konate likely to depart Anfield at the end of the season, Liverpool’s lack of decisive action has left them exposed at the back—a situation made worse by Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, which has left manager Arne Slot with just three senior centre-backs for much of the campaign.

Romano’s latest update suggests that Manchester City have not only matched Palace’s expectations but may have outmaneuvered their rivals with a blend of sporting ambition and financial incentives. Trusted journalist Florian Plettenburg added that City are set to "launch a formal bid" worth around £30 million, while personal terms are not expected to be an issue. In fact, City’s strategy reportedly includes making Guehi one of their highest-paid players, a move designed to turn the defender’s head and accelerate the deal.

Dean Jones, a well-connected insider, explained, "We have been consistent in reporting that City had a plan and strategy to attempt the move for Guehi and that part of it would be making him one of the highest-paid players. But until now there had been no clear indication whether he would actually consider the move now. This feels like a big moment but City now have to be very decisive." Jones continued, "They know there is a blend of sporting and financial motivation that has to be presented to him. They know they can satisfy what Palace will be looking for. There’s a likelihood they negotiate and look for some smart work around the fee but ultimately there is a confidence in that sense. It’s a very interesting moment that could have a big impact on the season."

The transfer, expected to be finalized for a fee in the region of £20-30 million, also marks the end of Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Guehi. According to Romano, the German giants have now dropped out of the race, leaving City as the clear frontrunners. The move is seen as another major January coup for the Etihad club, following their £64 million acquisition of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the window.

Liverpool’s failure to act decisively has not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike. The club’s defensive frailties have been exposed throughout the season, and missing out on Guehi—especially after previously offering more than City’s current bid—has led to frustration among supporters. Manager Arne Slot, speaking at his pre-Burnley press conference, acknowledged the challenges facing the club but stopped short of promising any imminent signings before the February 2 deadline. "I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we’re facing, that’s not to say we are going to act, but everyone is aligned with what we’re facing," Slot told BBC Sport.

For Crystal Palace, the impending departure of their captain is a significant loss, but with Guehi’s contract set to expire in less than six months, the club has little choice but to cash in now. Palace are hopeful of recouping a substantial fee, with previous reports suggesting they were seeking upwards of £30-35 million. The Eagles’ inability to find a replacement last summer ultimately scuppered Liverpool’s bid, but this time around, City’s urgency and willingness to meet both the player’s and club’s demands have made the difference.

As the January transfer window barrels toward its conclusion, all eyes are on the Etihad. If Manchester City can finalize the deal for Marc Guehi in the coming days, it will not only shore up their defense amid a mounting injury list but also send a message to their domestic rivals about their intent to remain at the top of English football. For Liverpool, the missed opportunity could have lasting repercussions—especially if defensive woes continue to undermine their campaign.

With talks now at an advanced stage and both personal terms and club-to-club negotiations reportedly progressing smoothly, the expectation is that Marc Guehi will soon be unveiled as Manchester City’s newest defensive addition. The move, once completed, is poised to have a major impact on the Premier League title race and beyond.

Stay tuned as the final details are ironed out—this transfer saga is moving fast, and the ripple effects could be felt across the top flight for months to come.