Manchester City Seal Marc Guehi Transfer In Dramatic January Move

The January transfer window has delivered its first blockbuster twist, and it’s a development that’s sent shockwaves through both Manchester and Merseyside. After months of speculation, rumors, and near-misses, Marc Guehi’s future is finally decided—he’s set to swap Selhurst Park for the Etihad, with Manchester City striking a bargain £20 million deal for the Crystal Palace captain. For Liverpool, who were once in pole position, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Fabrizio Romano, the ever-reliable transfer oracle, broke the news with his trademark phrase: “BREAKING: Marc Guehi to Manchester City, HERE WE GO! Official proposal accepted by Crystal Palace right now — understand fee will be around £20m. Guehi has ACCEPTED move to #MCFC. Exclusive story, now confirmed.” That single post on X (formerly Twitter) sent the football world into a frenzy, especially among Liverpool fans, who’d watched this saga unfold with hope, frustration, and, ultimately, regret.

Let’s rewind to September 1, 2025. Liverpool had seemingly done the hard part, agreeing a £35 million fee with Crystal Palace for the highly-rated centre-back. But, as the clock ticked down on deadline day, Palace pulled the plug. Their reason? Not enough time to sign a replacement. The deal collapsed, leaving Liverpool empty-handed and Guehi still in south London.

Fast forward to January 16, 2026. While Liverpool hesitated, Manchester City pounced. Injuries had ravaged Pep Guardiola’s defensive ranks—Joško Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones all sidelined. City couldn’t afford to wait until the summer, when Guehi’s contract would be entering its final months and a free transfer battle with Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and even Real Madrid could erupt. Instead, they moved decisively, presenting a substantial contract proposal to the 25-year-old England international and meeting Palace’s asking price. The result? A deal that many are already calling one of the best value signings of the season.

What makes this transfer even more remarkable is the fee itself. £20 million for a Premier League-proven defender, captain of his club, and a regular in the England squad? It’s almost unheard of in today’s inflated market. The explanation lies in Guehi’s contract situation—his deal with Palace expires in June 2026. The Eagles knew they risked losing their prized asset for nothing in six months’ time, so they accepted City’s offer without hesitation. As Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted, the transfer had reached its “final stages,” and Guehi was left out of the squad for the clash against Sunderland in anticipation of his move.

For Manchester City, this is more than just a stop-gap solution. Guehi brings leadership, composure on the ball, and a passing range that fits Guardiola’s tactical blueprint to a tee. His aggression and recovery pace will allow City to maintain their high defensive line, even with their usual starters sidelined. As one source put it, "Guehi slots in as a specialist ready to perform immediately." His experience with England at major tournaments only adds to his credentials—he’s no stranger to pressure or high expectations.

The timing couldn’t be better for City. With the Premier League title race heating up and their defense stretched thin, adding a player of Guehi’s caliber could prove decisive. The club’s hierarchy acted swiftly, presenting what Fabrizio Romano described as a "big approach" within the last 12 hours before the deal was struck. There’s no doubt this transfer strengthens City’s hand as they chase yet another domestic crown.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are left to reflect on what might have been. The Reds’ defensive woes are well documented—Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are out for the season with knee injuries, and head coach Arne Slot has just three senior centre-backs at his disposal. Despite the obvious need, Liverpool hesitated in the January window. As Slot himself remarked before the Burnley match, "I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we are facing. That’s not to say that we are going to act, but we are aligned on what we are facing. There is no-one who has a different opinion on it. That’s not to say that anything is going to happen." It’s a statement that’s unlikely to comfort fans who watched a key target slip through their fingers—again.

The sense of regret is palpable on Merseyside. The narrative is clear: Liverpool had their chance, not once but twice. First, they failed to act quickly enough in the summer, and then they didn’t move decisively when the January window opened. As one commentator lamented, "Liverpool had him, then had him taken from them, and then saw a direct rival seize their opportunity to get him with none of the unnecessary drama that the Merseyside club brought upon themselves." With more than two weeks left in the transfer window, there’s still time for Liverpool to respond, but the damage may already be done.

For Crystal Palace, the decision to sell was pragmatic. With Guehi’s contract winding down and interest from Europe’s elite, cashing in now made financial sense. Palace fans will no doubt miss their captain’s presence at the back, but the club’s willingness to do business reflects the realities of the modern transfer market.

As for Guehi, the move represents the next step in a rapidly ascending career. At just 25, he’s already captained a Premier League side, earned England caps, and now joins a club with genuine ambitions on all fronts. The pressure will be immense, but if his performances at Palace are anything to go by, he’s more than up to the challenge.

One can’t help but wonder how different things might have been if Liverpool had moved faster or if Palace had found a replacement back in September. But in football, timing is everything, and this time, it’s Manchester City who’ve played their cards right.

With the January window still open, all eyes will be on Liverpool and the rest of Europe’s giants to see how they respond. For now, though, it’s Pep Guardiola and City fans who have every reason to celebrate—Marc Guehi is on his way to the Etihad, and the Premier League title race just got even more intriguing.