Manchester City are on the verge of concluding a stunning January transfer coup, with a deal for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi now in its final stages.
City Steal a March on Rivals for Defensive Target
Pep Guardiola's side have moved decisively ahead of competitors Liverpool, Arsenal, and even Bayern Munich to secure the signature of the 25-year-old centre-back. Negotiations are now actively underway between Manchester City, Crystal Palace, and the player's representatives, with a transfer fee expected to exceed £30 million.
The move represents a significant shift in strategy. While City had been considered front-runners for Guehi's signature as a free agent in the summer, the club has accelerated its plans due to a defensive injury crisis. Key defenders Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol are currently ruled out, while John Stones has also faced recent treatment, compelling Guardiola to strengthen his backline this month.
A Remarkable Fee for a Contract Situation
The prospective deal is remarkable given Guehi's contractual status. The Palace captain has just six months remaining on his current contract at Selhurst Park and had made it clear he would not be signing an extension. This situation typically allows a player to leave for free in the summer, giving them immense bargaining power.
To convince Palace to sell now and to persuade Guehi to forgo the lucrative free-agency market, City are prepared to pay an unprecedented fee for a player in his situation and are offering a substantial personal contract. Palace have been holding out for a figure closer to £40 million, with negotiations centred on finding a middle ground. This comes after Liverpool had agreed a deal worth £35m plus add-ons for Guehi last summer when he had a full year left on his deal.
Conclusion Imminent for Major Title Boost
The growing expectation is that City will get the deal over the line before the January window closes, providing a major boost to their Premier League title ambitions. The move follows their £64 million acquisition of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, signalling their intent to spend big this winter.
For Marc Guehi, a deadline-day move to Liverpool collapsed at the end of the summer window, but he now looks set for a swift and high-profile switch to the Etihad Stadium, concluding a transfer saga that has captivated the football world.
