Manchester City have signed defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £20 million.
An injury crisis for the centre-half meant City were forced to sign the Palace captain, who was out of contract at the end of this season and was on the verge of joining Liverpool for £35 million on Deadline Day last summer.
In addition to the starting fee, the 25-year-old’s contract included a percentage sell-on clause, giving him a five-and-a-half-year contract with Etihad Airways until 2031.
“I’m at the best club in England right now.”
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Watch Guehi’s best videos of the 2025/26 season so far
On signing for City, Guehi said: “I’m really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player.
“This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I’ve put into my career so far. I’m now at the best club in England and part of a team of incredible players. I’m happy to say that. I want to develop as a player and as a person and I know that will happen at this club.”
“I love football. Football has given me a lot for a long time and being able to continue my development at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to start now. I want to meet my teammates, train hard, understand what the manager expects from me and show the City fans what I can do.”
Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were among the clubs interested in signing Gehi on a free transfer this summer.
Guehi is manager Josep Guardiola’s second signing in January, following the £64m signing of forward Antoine Semenho from Bournemouth.
The arrival of the former Chelsea defender takes City’s transfer spend over the past 12 months to £445.9m on 15 players.
“Guehi is in his prime.”
Marc Guhi and Man City’s head of football, Hugo Viana. Credit: Tom Burton/Manchester City FC
Manchester City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, added: “Marc has clearly been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time, so we are really pleased to be able to bring him to Manchester City.”
“We feel we have signed a great talent who will help us develop. He is only 25 years old but has already shown that he is a leader, a great professional and someone who is eager to improve. He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, reads the game intelligently and brings passion and energy every time he steps on the pitch. We are very happy that he has chosen to join us.”
“Marc is in the prime of his career and all City fans will be looking forward to seeing what he can do in a sky blue shirt.”
The City Will Shout From the Rooftops About Bargain Sale Guehi
Marc Gehi has continued to impress as the center of Crystal Palace’s defense this season.
Peter Smith of Sky Sports:
Marc Gehi is quiet and reserved off the pitch. However, his move to Man City caused a lot of noise. It reflects his growing reputation, obvious talent and recognition of the deal’s value to City and Crystal Palace.
The centre-back is a surefire starter for England at the upcoming World Cup and after captaining Palace to FA Cup glory last season, a step up to one of the Premier League’s top teams was inevitable. Oliver Glasner’s dissatisfaction with what had happened now emphasizes Guehi’s qualities and influence.
On Deadline Day in the summer, it looked like it would be Liverpool, but this January it’s City. And what a coup for Pep Guardiola. In the short term, Gehi is the perfect replacement for the injured Josko Gvardiol. In the long term, the 25-year-old will be seen as a key figure as City look to launch a new chapter of success. Liverpool’s loss is City’s gain, and beating their big rivals for his signature could be important in the upcoming season.
Last month, Guehi spoke to Sky Sports about his personal desire to go to the next level in terms of his performance. “I’m trying to improve my game and become as well-rounded a player as possible,” he said. Guardiola is certainly a manager who helps his players achieve that. But despite playing in a back-three role at Palace, a move to City’s back-four looks like an easy switch for the defender, who plays on the left of England’s centre-back duo.
Expect him to take on this challenge with typical understated determination, but City and their supporters will be shouting from the rooftops what a fantastic bargain this £20m deal is.
Glassner expresses anger over sale
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Oliver Glassner criticized Crystal Palace’s hierarchy after his depleted side lost 2-1 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
After Crystal Palace’s loss to Sunderland on Saturday, manager Oliver Glasner said the team had been “completely abandoned” by the club’s senior management over the decision to sell Guehi so close to the game.
He told Sky Sports: “The players gave their all. We didn’t make any substitutions. Look at the bench. There are only kids there.”
“I feel completely abandoned. I don’t understand why they would sell their captain the day before the game.”
Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Number of Manchester City contracts in the last 12 months
January 2025 – £176.1m
Abdukkodir Kusanov – Lens, £33.5m
Vitor Reis – Palmeiras, £29.6m
Omar Marmouche – Eintracht Frankfurt, £63.2m
Nico Gonzalez – Porto, £50m
Christian McFarlane – New York City, private
Juma Bar – Real Valladolid, private
Summer 2025 – £185.8m
Tijani Lajnders – AC Milan, £46.3m
Rayan Ait Nouri – Wolves, £36m
Marcus Bettinelli – Chelsea, private
Rayan Cherki – Lyon, £34m
Sverre Nippan – Rosenborg, £12.5m
James Trafford – Burnley, £31m
Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG, £26m
January 2026 – £84m
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth, £64m
Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace, £20m
