Manchester City Close In On Marc Guehi Transfer From Crystal Palace

Manchester City have wasted no time in the January transfer window, moving swiftly to shore up their defensive ranks with a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. After weeks of speculation and a flurry of activity across the Premier League, City and Palace have agreed in principle to a £20 million transfer for the England international centre-back. The move, expected to be finalized within days, marks a significant shift for both clubs as they navigate a season fraught with injuries and looming contract deadlines.

City’s interest in Guehi, 25, intensified following a series of defensive setbacks. Croatian international Josko Gvardiol, just 23, recently underwent surgery for a broken shinbone sustained in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Ruben Dias, 28, is sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury. These blows left Pep Guardiola’s side with limited options at the back, prompting urgent talks with Palace that have now reached an advanced stage.

“My understanding is that a deal with Marc is in its final stages. It is not done but as a result, Marc doesn't play for us,” Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner told reporters on Friday, confirming that the defender would not feature in the upcoming Premier League clash against Sunderland. “I mentioned it a few weeks ago, I was pretty clear, every player and depending on his contract has their price and if we want to do it. When the player says, 'I want to move', it looks like that is going to happen now.”

Guehi’s impending move comes at a pivotal moment for Palace. The defender, who joined from Chelsea in 2021, has become a mainstay for both club and country. His leadership was instrumental in guiding Palace to their first major trophy, lifting the FA Cup after a dramatic final against Manchester City in May 2025. Guehi also captained the side to Community Shield glory over Liverpool at the start of the 2025-2026 season. His performances earned him a regular spot with England, where he played a key role in their run to the Euro 2024 final.

But as his contract entered its final six months, speculation swirled. Liverpool appeared poised to sign Guehi last summer, with a £35 million deal reportedly accepted on transfer deadline day. However, the move collapsed at the last hurdle and Guehi remained at Selhurst Park. Now, with City making a decisive approach and Palace facing the prospect of losing their captain for nothing in the summer, the timing proved right for all parties.

“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever but reality is different,” Glasner reflected. “I talked to him, it stays between us but I think Marc has shown it in the summer transfer window, it in the whole season so far that he was 100 percent committed. I wish him all the best for his career, he will have a great one. He's still at the beginning, he has a fantastic future.”

City’s business in this window hasn’t stopped with Guehi. Earlier this month, they completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for a hefty £62.5 million, further underlining their intent to reinforce the squad as they chase silverware on multiple fronts. With the title race heating up and a derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford looming, Guardiola’s men are determined not to let injuries derail their ambitions.

Guardiola, however, remained tight-lipped when pressed about the Guehi deal at his pre-match press conference. “Nothing to say,” he replied curtly, declining to be drawn into transfer talk ahead of a crucial run of fixtures. Still, the consensus is clear: Guehi’s arrival is seen as a much-needed boost for a defense stretched thin.

The transfer also signals a period of transition at Crystal Palace. Glasner, who took charge in 2025, confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires in June. He insisted that Guehi’s departure had “zero impact” on his decision, explaining, “I told Steve (Parish) I’m looking for a new challenge. It’s my feeling after everything. I told him in October it’s nothing to do with the transfer window.” Glasner emphasized his commitment to the club’s immediate goals: “I told the players, promised them, I will give my best to get the points record. We will do everything to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”

This double blow—losing both a captain and a manager—leaves Palace fans with mixed emotions. Guehi’s professionalism throughout months of speculation has been widely praised. “Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100% committed to the team and to Crystal Palace. I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy,” Glasner said, echoing the sentiments of many at the club.

The deal for Guehi is also notable for its timing and price. With just six months left on his contract, Palace faced the risk of losing him for free in the summer. While earlier reports suggested Palace hoped for a fee between £35m and £40m, the final agreement with City settled at £20m—a reflection of both Guehi’s contract situation and the urgency created by City’s defensive crisis.

Elsewhere in the transfer market, City’s rivals have been less active. Tottenham made headlines by signing Conor Gallagher, while Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United have so far adopted a wait-and-see approach. The window, open for two weeks, has already seen a number of intriguing moves, but City’s double swoop for Semenyo and Guehi stands out as the most high-profile business to date.

For Guehi, the move to City represents both a reward for his consistency and a new challenge at the highest level. Having already turned heads with his performances for Palace and England, he now joins a club with aspirations to win every competition they enter. The question is, can he step up and fill the void left by City’s injured stars? The coming weeks will provide the answer.

As the January window edges toward its deadline, all eyes will be on Manchester City to see how quickly Guehi integrates into Guardiola’s system. For Crystal Palace, the focus shifts to stabilizing under Glasner’s final months and preparing for a new era without their talismanic captain. One thing’s certain: the Premier League never stops surprising, and this transfer saga is just the latest twist in a season full of drama.