Manchester City are putting together an offer for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they look to fix their defense problems during the January transfer window. The move comes with injuries hitting their back line hard, but City have no plans to pay Palace's £35 million asking price.
Background
Marc Guehi has been a steady presence at the heart of Crystal Palace's defense since joining from Chelsea in 2021. At 25 years old, the England international has played every minute of Palace's Premier League games this season. His contract runs out at the end of the season, which means he can leave for free in the summer if no deal happens now.
City's interest picked up after injuries sidelined three center backs: Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones. Nathan Ake has also faced fitness issues, leaving manager Pep Guardiola short on options. Guehi fits the bill as a calm, ball-playing defender who can step into midfield and lead the line.
This is not the first time big clubs have chased Guehi. Last summer, a £35 million move to Liverpool fell through on deadline day. Since then, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and others have shown interest. Palace know they risk losing him for nothing, so they want a good fee now.
Guehi has stayed quiet on his plans. He seems happy at Palace for now, but with six months left on his deal, talks with other clubs can start soon. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has said he expects Guehi to stay, but admits a big offer could change that.
Key Details
City are working on a bid, but sources close to the club say it will fall short of £35 million. Palace turned down that amount from Liverpool last year, so they will push for close to it or more. Guehi's value comes from his experience: over 100 Premier League appearances, England caps, and his role as Palace captain.
Why City Need Him Now
The injury list tells the story. Gvardiol picked up a knock in training, Dias has been out for weeks with a muscle problem, and Stones keeps getting setbacks. Ake has missed games too. City sit top of the league, but their defense has let in more goals than usual. Adding Guehi would give depth and quality right away.
Guehi stands at 6 feet tall, is strong in the air, and good on the ball. He has started all of England's recent qualifiers and looks set for the World Cup squad. At Palace, he has helped them to some strong results, including draws against top teams.
Palace sit mid-table, safe from relegation but not pushing for Europe. Losing Guehi mid-season would hurt, but the money could help them buy replacements. Glasner has built a solid team, but the club needs funds to keep building.
"I think Marc will stay but if Marc says 'I want to leave', and a club pays massive money – with five months left of a contract – every player will leave if you're playing for a club like Crystal Palace." – Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace manager
Other Clubs in the Mix
Liverpool still want Guehi and could wait for a free transfer. They know him well from last summer's talks. Arsenal have been linked too, with Mikel Arteta liking London-born players. Bayern Munich have spoken to his agent and could sign a pre-contract now. Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG might join in later.
In other news, N'Golo Kante, the former Chelsea and France midfielder, is close to a move from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia to Fenerbahce in Turkey. Talks over a fee are ongoing, as his contract ends this summer.
What This Means
For City, landing Guehi now would solve their injury headache and add a leader for the run-in. They chase a fourth straight Premier League title and deep runs in cup competitions. But if the bid is too low, Palace will say no, forcing City to look elsewhere or wait.
Guehi faces a choice: move now to a title contender and boost his World Cup chances, or stay at Palace, play regularly, and pick from more clubs in summer. A big signing-on fee awaits if he waits, plus no risk of bench time.
Palace get cash either way, but January money helps now. They could reinvest in squad depth. The transfer window closes soon, so a deal might happen fast if numbers align.
Experts doubt a January switch. One City watcher said Guehi makes sense stylistically but logic points to summer. He brings composure, passing, and aggression – perfect for Guardiola's system. Still, with top clubs circling, Guehi holds strong cards.
City spent big on Antoine Semenyo recently, so owners watch the budget. A cut-price Guehi deal appeals, but Palace won't budge easy. As talks heat up, all eyes stay on Selhurst Park and the Etihad.
This saga shows how contracts shape the market. Players with six months left gain power, forcing clubs to act or risk free losses. For Guehi, it's about timing his next step in a career on the rise.
