Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City are on the brink of finalising a move for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, in a deal set to bolster their injury-hit backline.
Guardiola Confirms Imminent Transfer
Speaking after his side's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, the City manager confirmed that the club was close to securing the signature of the 25-year-old centre-back. "I don't know yet officially for my club," Guardiola stated. "Apparently it's close but Ferran (Soriano, chief executive) and Hugo (Viana, director of football) didn't tell me anything."
The transfer, which is reportedly valued at £20 million, comes with Guehi in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park. City have moved swiftly to agree personal terms with the player, who is now expected to undergo a medical examination on Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Defensive Crisis Forces City's Hand
Manchester City's push to sign Guehi has been accelerated by a severe shortage of fit central defenders. The Premier League champions are currently without the services of senior stars John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has been managing his fitness.
This has forced Guardiola to field the inexperienced pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne—the latter recently recalled from a loan spell at Watford—for the last four matches, including the loss at Old Trafford.
Guehi's Path to the Etihad
Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, was close to joining Liverpool in the summer of 2025, but a proposed £35 million switch collapsed on deadline day. With his contract winding down, he would have been available on a free transfer at the end of the current season, making City's £20 million move a decisive piece of business.
If completed, the transfer will provide Guardiola with a proven Premier League and international defender to help navigate a critical period in the season. The move underscores City's need for immediate reinforcements as they aim to maintain their challenge on multiple fronts.
