Manchester City have entered a pivotal phase in their transfer strategy by agreeing to a deal in principle for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this month, reportedly worth £20 million. The decision to pursue Guehi comes in light of recent injuries to key defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, who have been sidelined, prompting City to initiate discussions with the 25-year-old England centre-back.
Guehi has been attracting attention from some of Europe’s leading clubs, making this potential move even more significant for City. His current contract with Palace is set to expire this summer, and it was noted that he was very close to a move to Liverpool last summer, putting a spotlight on his value in the market. According to reports from BBC Sport, City has intensified negotiations for Guehi over the past day, and he is anticipated to join the club on a long-term contract soon.
While personal terms have not yet been formally agreed upon, sources suggest that this is not likely to be a hindrance, indicating a smooth transition for the player. Notably, City has already made a significant acquisition in this transfer window by signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £62.5 million, underscoring their readiness to invest in quality players to bolster their squad.
The timeline around Guehi’s potential transfer has coincided with announcements regarding Palace’s managerial changes. Oliver Glasner, the Palace boss, recently confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires in June, a decision that he stated was independent of Guehi’s situation. Glasner made it clear that he had determined his future months prior, even as he expressed a desire for Guehi to remain with the team for the season’s duration. The timing of the Guehi deal seems to have catalyzed his decision to assert his exit from the club, as he informed Palace chairman Steve Parish of his intentions to seek new opportunities back in October.
When questioned about Guehi during his latest news conference, City manager Pep Guardiola chose to remain tight-lipped about the specifics, responding with a definitive “nothing to say,” which has only heightened speculation around the transfer. Glasner himself spoke on the matter, indicating that discussions regarding Guehi’s transfer are at an advanced stage, while also confirming that he would not feature in the upcoming squad to face Sunderland in the Premier League.
Earlier statements from Glasner suggested that the club would be open to selling Guehi in January if their valuation was met, which now appears to have been achieved with City’s offer. Guehi’s contributions to Palace have been substantial; he led the team to their first major trophy victory in the FA Cup final against City last May and played a crucial role in securing a Community Shield win over Liverpool at the beginning of this season.
Guehi transitioned to Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the England national team, contributing significantly to the Three Lions’ journey to the Euro 2024 final. His value on the pitch has been unmistakable, especially in light of recent events surrounding injuries within the Manchester City defensive unit. Croatia’s Gvardiol, 23, recently underwent surgery for a broken shinbone sustained in a match against Chelsea, while Portugal international Dias, 28, is anticipated to be out for four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury, further amplifying City’s urgency in the market.
In light of these circumstances, Glasner praised Guehi’s professionalism amid the swirling transfer rumors, acknowledging that once a player expresses a desire to move, it becomes likely that a deal will materialize. He expressed hope that Guehi would be able to remain at Crystal Palace, stating, “Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us.” Despite the challenges of transfer speculation, Glasner emphasized Guehi’s unwavering commitment to the team throughout the autumn season. He concluded with well wishes for Guehi’s career, noting, “He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”
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