Manchester City Close To Signing Marc Guehi As Glasner Announces Palace Exit

Manchester City is on the verge of completing a high-profile transfer for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, while Palace manager Oliver Glasner has officially announced he will step down at the end of the season, sending shockwaves through the Premier League as the January transfer window heats up.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Crystal Palace, with news breaking on January 16, 2026, that their defensive stalwart Marc Guehi is finalizing a move to Manchester City. The England international, who saw a proposed transfer to Liverpool collapse on the summer’s transfer deadline day, now appears set to join Pep Guardiola’s ranks in a deal reportedly worth £20 million. As Palace braces for a crucial Premier League clash against Sunderland, Guehi will be notably absent from the squad as his transfer nears completion.

"Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages. When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now," Palace boss Oliver Glasner told reporters ahead of the Sunderland fixture. The defender’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season, putting Palace in a position where a January sale was the only way to secure a transfer fee, rather than risk losing their captain for nothing in the summer.

Guehi’s imminent arrival at the Etihad Stadium comes as City looks to bolster its defensive options in the midst of an injury crisis. With Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones all sidelined, Guardiola has already dipped into the market this January, signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £62.5 million. The addition of Guehi, who has consistently impressed in the Premier League and on the international stage with England, could prove pivotal as City chases both domestic and European glory.

For Crystal Palace, the loss of their captain is just one of several seismic changes underway. Glasner, the Austrian tactician who guided Palace to their historic FA Cup triumph last season and a Community Shield victory over Liverpool, has confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires in June 2026. The 51-year-old’s announcement was not entirely unexpected within club circles. He revealed that he had informed chairman Steve Parish of his decision back in October during the international break, but the news was kept under wraps until now.

“A decision has already been taken, months ago. I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October, the international break. We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract,” Glasner explained during a press conference. “We agreed at the time it was best to keep it between us. It's the best that we could do that and keep it confidential for three months. But now it's important to have clarity, and we had a very busy schedule so that's why we didn't want to talk about it. Steve and I want the best for Crystal Palace.”

Despite speculation linking him with the soon-to-be-vacant Manchester United job—after United’s recent sacking of Ruben Amorim and appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager—Glasner insists he has not spoken to any other clubs. “I told Steve [Parish] I’m just looking for a new challenge. I told him in October, it’s nothing to do with the transfer window. I hate if something is written or said which is not true, and it was very tough for me not to respond. We have a great relationship, and we’re always talking about what is best for Crystal Palace.”

Glasner’s tenure at Palace has been marked by both triumph and turbulence. After masterminding the club’s first major trophy in the FA Cup, he watched as key players departed—most notably Wembley hero Eberechi Eze, who joined Arsenal, and now Guehi, who is set for City. The club’s recent form has been less than stellar, with Palace winless in their last eight matches across all competitions and suffering a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Macclesfield last weekend.

Nevertheless, Glasner remains determined to finish strong. He has promised both the squad and supporters that he will do everything in his power to deliver another trophy before he departs. “I haven’t spoken to any other club, I told the players that and promised them today I will give my best to give the best season in Crystal Palace history, the best points tally in history. We are now four points better off than we were at this stage of the season and we will do everything to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”

The timing of these announcements coincides with Palace’s Europa Conference League ambitions. On January 16, the club learned it will face Bosnia-Herzegovina’s HSK Zrinjski Mostar in the play-off rounds, offering another shot at European progress. “We had the Conference League draw today, we will play Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia in the play-off draw and I had a look at the draw tree... it’ll be quite interesting who we could play in our section. I will do everything to help bring a trophy back to Selhurst Park,” Glasner said, projecting his trademark optimism despite the challenges ahead.

For Manchester City, the potential acquisition of Marc Guehi is more than just a shrewd piece of business. At 25, Guehi offers both immediate reinforcement and long-term value, fitting Guardiola’s philosophy of blending experience with youthful promise. His leadership qualities and composure at the back have earned praise from teammates and coaches alike. Glasner didn’t hold back in his admiration: “Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. 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.”

As the January window edges toward its conclusion, all eyes are on the finalization of Guehi’s transfer and the next steps for both clubs. Palace fans will be hoping the team can rally under Glasner’s leadership one last time, while City supporters eagerly anticipate the impact of their new defensive recruit. The Premier League drama is far from over, with managerial moves and marquee signings setting the stage for a riveting second half of the season.

With Guehi’s transfer nearing completion and Glasner’s future decided, both Manchester City and Crystal Palace are bracing for fresh chapters. The coming weeks promise plenty of intrigue, both on and off the pitch, as the football world watches these stories unfold.