Manchester City have once again underlined their financial strength and strategic sharpness in the transfer market after reportedly reaching an agreement to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi. The Premier League champions moved swiftly to finalize the deal, ensuring they beat several European heavyweights to one of England’s most sought-after centre-backs.
City are understood to have agreed a fee of around £20 million for the England international, despite Guéhi being just months away from entering the final stages of his contract at Selhurst Park. The 24-year-old is expected to travel to Manchester this weekend to undergo a medical examination before putting pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City Outpace Elite Rivals
City’s proactive approach has dealt a major blow to multiple top clubs across Europe. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Liverpool were all closely monitoring Guéhi’s situation, with plans to pursue him on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Preliminary talks had reportedly taken place between Guéhi’s representatives and several interested clubs, opening the door to a lucrative signing-on bonus if he waited until the summer. However, Manchester City chose not to gamble on timing.
Pep Guardiola’s side accelerated negotiations following a growing defensive injury crisis. Long-term issues affecting Joško Gvardiol and Rúben Dias significantly reduced City’s options at the back, prompting the club to act decisively during the January transfer window.
An Attractive Package Too Good to Refuse
Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Manchester City offered Guéhi a contract package that rivalled — and potentially exceeded — what he could have earned as a free agent. This strong proposal ultimately persuaded Crystal Palace to sanction an earlier departure, even though they had previously resisted major bids for their captain.
During last summer’s transfer window, Palace famously rejected a late £35 million offer from Liverpool, with the club holding out for a valuation closer to £40 million. This time, however, the urgency of the situation and City’s firm stance helped bridge the gap.
The final agreement is believed to be set at £20 million, excluding performance-related bonuses and potential sell-on clauses. Chelsea, Guéhi’s former club, are also set to benefit from the transfer. Due to a sell-on clause inserted when Palace signed Guéhi from Chelsea in 2021 for £18 million, the Blues are expected to receive approximately 20 percent of the fee, equating to around £4 million.
Once again, the deal highlights Chelsea’s reputation for structuring player sales with long-term financial foresight.
Guardiola’s Long-Term Admiration for Guéhi
Pep Guardiola has reportedly been tracking Marc Guéhi’s development for an extended period. Manchester City’s visit to Selhurst Park in December was used by the Catalan coach as an opportunity to closely observe the defender in a competitive setting.
Guéhi’s composure on the ball, tactical intelligence, and consistency at the highest level are seen as a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system. City’s style demands centre-backs who are not only defensively reliable but also comfortable initiating play and maintaining possession under pressure.
His arrival is expected to provide immediate depth and long-term stability to City’s back line as they continue their pursuit of domestic and European honours.
Crystal Palace Face a Defensive Rebuild
Guéhi’s departure will have an immediate impact on Crystal Palace. The England defender will not be available for Palace’s upcoming league fixture against Sunderland, leaving manager Oliver Glasner with a significant hole to fill in central defence.
Glasner has openly acknowledged that the club must now act quickly in the January window to identify a suitable replacement. Losing the team captain midway through the season presents a major challenge, particularly as Palace look to maintain consistency in their performances.
This season, Guéhi has been a cornerstone of Palace’s defence, making 33 appearances across all competitions and contributing seven goals and assists — an impressive return for a centre-back.
With his blend of youth, experience, and leadership qualities, Marc Guéhi is widely expected to strengthen Manchester City’s defensive unit as they compete on multiple fronts for silverware.
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