Softfootball reports that Manchester City has finalized an agreement with Crystal Palace for the transfer of England center-back Marc Guehi. The transaction fee is rumored to be approximately £20 million, as indicated by sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X account.
He announced:
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.
Negotiations over personal terms have concluded successfully. A recent report from SoftFootball suggested that Manchester City was leading the race to sign Guehi, and the player has now agreed to terms with the Premier League club. He is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium, potentially lasting until June 2031.
At 25, the captain of Crystal Palace is set to become City’s second acquisition this transfer window, following the previous signing of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
The urgency of this transfer reflects the club’s current defensive struggles, as Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are both out due to injuries, and John Stones is also unavailable.
Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the team’s defensive predicaments, making this acquisition seem more like a response to immediate needs rather than a premeditated strategy.
Guehi was anticipated to exit Palace with no transfer fee during the summer. However, Manchester City’s £20 million offer persuaded the South London club to sell now rather than risk losing their captain for free in the near future.
Oliver Glasner, the manager of Crystal Palace, has already stated that Guehi will not participate in the team’s upcoming Premier League match against Sunderland, indicating that the transfer is virtually complete.
Since joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021, Guehi has made a significant impact with 188 appearances, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable center-backs. His departure during the season is disappointing for Palace supporters, yet the club benefits from securing crucial transfer funds.
Interest from Arsenal and Liverpool has resurfaced this January, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also kept watch. Ultimately, however, City acted swiftly, demonstrating that prompt action can be decisive in transfer scenarios.
