Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Marc Guehi, with his move from Crystal Palace likely to be completed by the end of this week.
Guehi is scheduled to undergo medical treatment in the North West on Sunday.
The clubs agreed on Friday a fee of £20m, with some future add-ons based on appearance fees.
Palace felt they could not turn down the money as Guehi could leave on a free five months’ time.
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has provided an update on the future of captain Marc Guehy amid links with Manchester City.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Gehi was “in the final stages” of a transfer and would not play for Sunderland on Saturday.
Glasner also revealed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, but striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is open to a new challenge and could be another blow to Palace, with a real possibility of him leaving this month.
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Will Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta follow manager Oliver Glasner and defender Marc Guehi towards his exit?
Pep: ‘It’s a difficult situation’ on City’s defensive problems
Sky Sports News reported earlier this week that City are the only club open to signing Guehi in this window, with Josep Guardiola’s side rapidly increasing their interest.
City believed they could acquire an elite defender for a fraction of what they would have to pay on the open market and did not want to wait until the summer with Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias currently injured.
The inexperienced duo of Abdukhodir Kusanov and Max Alleyne, recalled from his loan to Sky Bet Championship club Watford, have started City’s last three games, and City’s move highlights how serious their defensive problems have become, especially with Stones and Ake facing uncertain futures beyond this season.
Speaking about City’s defensive problems, Guardiola added: “Without John (Stones), Ruben (Diaz) and Josko (Gvardiol), we are in a difficult situation, not just for one game, but for a long time.”
“It’s a difficult situation. Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no, John, hopefully you’ll find out.”
Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Arsenal are among the clubs interested in signing Gehi on a free transfer this summer. And that means City will need to make an attractive offer to Palace and Gehi if they want to move now.
Gehi almost joined Liverpool in a £35m deal last summer, but the deal fell through on deadline day.
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Kaveh Solhekor has explained why Liverpool will not make a move for Marc Gehi, with the Crystal Palace defender expected to leave for Manchester City.
Analysis: Guehi could join Man City directly
Nick Wright of Sky Sports:
The most important thing Guehi can offer Manchester City, at least in the short term, is availability. He has started 32 out of 34 games this season. Only 10 outfielders have played more minutes in the Premier League since the start of last season.
The City manager appears to be in perfect condition to slot directly into Guardiola’s backline and gain much-needed experience after being without his centre-back duo of 20-year-old Alleyne and 21-year-old Kusanov due to injury.
But Guehi won’t be just a short-term contract. He’s 25 years old, at his peak for years to come, and has a long list of suitors that reflect his qualities.
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Manchester City have increased their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Guehi developed during his time at Palace, playing a key role in the club’s FA Cup and Community Shield wins and establishing himself as England’s most important centre-back and one of the best in the Premier League.
Excellent defensively, strong in duels and fast enough to cover large spaces, Guehi is also confident in possession and has the versatility to play in a variety of systems. He has scored five goals and provided four assists in the Premier League over the past two seasons and is also an increasing threat from set pieces.
It comes in an attractive package. Guehi would be able to immediately cover City’s injury list and strengthen the team not only now but for the future.
Glasner to leave Palace at the end of this season: “I want a new challenge”
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has announced that he will leave the club at the end of this season after refusing to sign a new contract.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Glasner has revealed that after almost two years at Selhurst Park, he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, citing a desire for a “new challenge”.
The Austrian explained ahead of Saturday’s game against Sunderland that he had told Palace owner Steve Parish in October that he did not intend to renew his existing contract, ending months of speculation over his future.
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Paul Merson has questioned the timing of Oliver Glasner’s announcement that he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
Glasner has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park following much public dissatisfaction over transfer business during last summer’s transfer window, but he suggested it was only his second season in Europe, having failed to build on last season’s historic FA Cup win.
The manager said he had kept the news a secret for the final months of 2025 due to the club’s busy schedule and only told his players in the early hours of Friday ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light.
“The decision was already made several months ago. I met with Steve (Diocese) in October during my international holiday,” he said.
“We had a very long discussion and I told him I would not sign a new contract.
“At the time we agreed that it was best to keep it secret, so it was best to keep it secret for three months. I think it’s important to be clear now, so I said that to the team today.”
“I didn’t want to talk about it because I had a very busy schedule. Steve and I want to do what’s best for Crystal Palace.”
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Another blow to Palace? Mateta could leave this month
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Will Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta follow manager Oliver Glasner and defender Marc Guehi towards his exit?
Crystal Palace face the loss of another key player as they face a new challenge in striker Mateta.
Mateta is also very likely to leave the club this month, along with captain Guehi.
Palace could also lose their main scorer Mateta, meaning the France international will face a new challenge.
The 28-year-old wants to play for a club in the Champions League next season, or one that has a good chance of playing in that competition.
Juventus and several Premier League clubs are interested in signing him.
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Have Palace fans’ biggest fears come true?
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Crystal Palace fans are faced with a nightmare scenario. Minutes after announcing Mark Gehi’s departure at Friday’s press conference, Oliver Glasner confirmed his own departure when his contract expires in June. Captain and manager, leave.
The loss of Guehi is the immediate concern. Palace are on a nine-game winless run heading into Saturday’s game against Sunderland. Now they must go to the Stadium of Light, where Regis Le Bris’ side are unbeaten this season, without their leader and best player.
The difficult task has become considerably tougher for Palace as they look to shake off the sense of crisis following Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to non-league side Macclesfield. And that’s before considering everything else they have to come into this season.
Everything looks more difficult without Guehi, but now Palace fans are convinced that they will soon be without the most successful manager in their history. Glasner’s place in Palace history was secured as he led Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield glory. But can they get them back on track this season?
Just six weeks ago, a late win against Fulham lifted them into the Premier League’s top four. They currently sit in 13th place, looking down rather than up, looking into the future without a captain and soon also a manager.
