Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a £20 million deal for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guéhi, with personal terms nearly agreed upon for a five-and-a-half-year contract. This move comes as City faces a defensive crisis due to injuries to key players, including John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and Rúben Dias. The club's manager, Pep Guardiola, acknowledges the challenge, stating, 'Without John, without Ruben, without Josko, we are in a difficult situation.'
Guéhi, 25, is entering the final six months of his contract, and Palace initially sought a £40 million fee for their captain. However, City is prepared to compensate him for the money he would otherwise receive as a free agent this summer. Interestingly, Palace's head coach, Oliver Glasner, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, had previously intervened to prevent Guéhi's proposed move to Liverpool on deadline day in September. Glasner has expressed concerns about squad depth and the need for transfers.
The battle for Guéhi's signature has intensified in recent months, with City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich joining Liverpool in the competition. Guéhi's move to Liverpool fell through on deadline day, and since then, the Reds have been focused on securing his services this summer when he becomes a free agent. However, Liverpool has stated that they will not pay a fee for him in January, given their recent substantial spending on new signings.
Palace will not retain the full proceeds from the transfer, as they must pay 20% of the profit to Chelsea, their previous club, from whom they signed Guéhi in 2021. This deal highlights the complex dynamics of player transfers and the financial considerations involved for both clubs.
