The January transfer window is always a whirlwind, but this season’s drama around Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has truly taken center stage. With Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all circling, the future of the England international remains a hot topic as clubs scramble to reinforce their squads mid-season. As of January 8, 2026, the story is still developing, with no final deal confirmed, but the stakes are higher than ever.
Manchester City has emerged as the frontrunner for Guehi’s signature, reportedly confident of sealing a £30 million deal. That confidence comes after a series of setbacks for City’s defense, with Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones all sidelined due to injuries. Pep Guardiola, never one to shy away from a bold move, has pressed the club’s hierarchy to act swiftly. According to The Mirror, City’s offer is one Palace “can’t refuse,” and Guehi himself is said to be eager to work under Guardiola’s leadership.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has been tracking Guehi for over a year. The Reds came agonizingly close to signing him last summer, with a £35 million plus £5 million in add-ons bid accepted by Palace, only for the deal to collapse on deadline day. Despite that disappointment, Liverpool remains interested, but the sense is that City’s urgency—and willingness to pay up front—may have given them the edge. The Mirror claims, "Manchester City are reportedly confident they've outmanoeuvred arch-rivals Liverpool in securing the signature of Marc Guehi."
Arsenal has now entered the fray, adding another layer of intrigue. The Gunners, who previously bolstered their defense with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, are reportedly considering a move either in this window or as a free transfer in the summer when Guehi’s contract expires. Arsenal’s interest underscores the defender’s growing reputation as one of England’s most versatile and reliable center-backs. With William Saliba and Gabriel forming a strong partnership, Arsenal’s pursuit of Guehi is all about adding depth and competition across the backline.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been the voice of cautious optimism throughout this saga, repeatedly emphasizing both the sporting and financial considerations at play. After Palace’s goalless draw with Aston Villa, Glasner addressed the swirling rumors: "I think Marc will stay. But if Marc says ‘I want to leave’, and a club pays massive money—with five months left of a contract—every player will leave if you’re playing for a club like Crystal Palace. I’m pretty sure our chairman will ask for a very high price for him and then let’s see. I don’t know if Marc wants to leave."
Glasner’s comments highlight the precarious balance smaller Premier League clubs must strike between holding onto their stars and cashing in before contracts run down. Palace’s European ambitions and FA Cup campaign add further complexity, as losing their captain mid-season could derail their hopes. Reports suggest Palace could demand around £40 million if a deal is to be struck in January, though the possibility of losing Guehi for nothing in the summer looms large.
The uncertainty is palpable. Glasner, fielding endless questions about Guehi’s future, admitted, "Honestly I don't know what will happen. If you're just valuing sports, everyone in the club will say Marc has to stay. The chairman will tell you the same. But it's not one-dimensional. Nothing in life is one-dimensional. So if you see the financial situation, it's very important. Everybody wants him to play for Crystal Palace, sign a new contract and stay here forever. That's what everybody will tell you. On the other side, there's the situation that the contract ends in summer and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue. I'm not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen."
It’s not just English clubs monitoring the situation. Bayern Munich, with Vincent Kompany at the helm and Harry Kane advocating for his England teammate, are also reportedly interested. With Guehi able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs this month, the competition is truly pan-European. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan are all said to be keeping tabs, though the Premier League suitors appear to have the inside track for now.
For Liverpool, missing out on Guehi would be a significant blow, especially given their defensive struggles and ongoing injury concerns. Manager Arne Slot, when asked about the club’s options, was candid: "Am I happy with number of options? Joe Gomez is back now, a big help. No manager in the world tells you he is happy they only have two fit, but we have Leoni, an unbelievable talent, who is back next season. As much as has been said about the spending, it is not that there is no limitation to that spending. This club has always tried to do smart things. In an ideal world you have more than two centre-halves available but you have to accept that situation. I know Jurgen Klopp also had problems there and played midfielders there at times. Nat Phillips played a lot! So that has been LFC for all these years."
City’s defensive recruitment drive is not limited to Guehi. The club is also finalizing a £62.5 million move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who is undergoing a medical at the Etihad. Meanwhile, Liverpool may pivot towards PSG’s Bradley Barcola, with reports of an £87 million bid being readied. The transfer dominoes are lining up, and each move could have cascading effects across the Premier League and beyond.
Palace, for their part, are already making contingency plans. They’re eyeing Genk right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi to shore up their defense, with Daniel Munoz and Nathaniel Clyne both sidelined. The Eagles’ ability to hold firm on Guehi will depend not just on the offers received, but on their own ambitions for the remainder of the season.
There’s no denying the magnitude of this transfer tug-of-war. With the window still open and negotiations ongoing, the next days and weeks promise more twists and turns. Will City’s financial muscle and Guardiola’s pull prove decisive? Can Liverpool pull off a late coup? Or will Arsenal’s patience pay off with a summer swoop?
For now, Marc Guehi remains a Crystal Palace player, but the clock is ticking. One thing’s for sure: wherever he lands, his next move will send shockwaves through English and European football. Stay tuned—the transfer drama is far from over.