Marc Guehi: Man City sign defender from Crystal Palace for first £20m as spending reaches £425m in 12 months | Football news
Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in an initial £20m deal.
An injury problem in the center prompted City to look for the Palace captain, who was out of contract at the end of the season and was set to join Liverpool on Deadline Day last summer for £35m.
As well as the initial fee, a buy-out clause was included in the contract for the 25-year-old, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal until 2031 at the Etihad.
‘Now I’m in the best club in England’
On signing for City, Guehi said: “I am very happy and proud to be a Manchester City player.
“This move feels like the result of all the hard work I’ve done in my career. Now I’m at the best club in England and I’m part of an unbelievable group of players. It feels good to be able to say that. I want to grow as a player and as a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen.
“I love football – it has given me so much for a long time – and to be able to continue my development at Manchester City is a special moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to start now. I want to meet my team-mates, 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 Guehi on a free transfer this coming summer.
Guehi becomes Pep Guardiola’s second January signing after the £64m arrival of striker Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
The Chelsea defender’s arrival also takes City’s spending over the past 12 months to £445.9m on 15 players.
‘Guehi enters his prime’
Marc Guhi and Man City director of football Hugo Viana. Credit: Tom Barton/Manchester City FC
Man City director of football Hugo Viana added: “Marc has clearly been one of the best defenders in English football for a long time, so we are delighted to bring him to Manchester City.
“I feel we have signed a great talent who will help us improve. He is only 25 years old, but he has already shown that he is a leader, a brilliant technician and someone who is eager to improve. He is strong, has amazing defensive skills, is a brilliant student of the game, and brings enthusiasm and energy every time he steps on the pitch. I am very happy that he has chosen to join us.
“Marc is entering the prime of his career. I’m sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in the blue shirt.”
Pep: This would not have happened but for Guehi’s contract
Guardiola himself thanked City’s management for approving Guehi’s signing, and said he felt a deal was possible due to the short time left on the defender’s Palace contract – with other clubs hoping to wait to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.
The Man City manager said: “He is a top-class defender and he plays for the national team.
“I thank the club for bringing him here, he can play right and left, I know how he wanted to choose us.
“I am sure that if he had a long contract at Crystal Palace it would not have happened, but the fact that [he had] six months before the end of his contract, the situation became easier.
“However, Crystal Palace and Man City have to agree and after that, the player decides to come. Otherwise, even in that situation, it would not be possible.”
The city will be shouting from the rooftops about shopping with Guehi
Marc Guehi has impressed again this season at the heart of Crystal Palace’s defence
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
Marc Guehi is quiet and dignified when he leaves the field. But his move to Man City has caused quite a stir – and that’s a testament to his growing reputation, clear talent and the perceived value of this deal for City and Crystal Palace.
The centre-back is playing for England at the upcoming World Cup and after captaining Palace who won the FA Cup last season, a move to one of the Premier League’s top teams was inevitable. Oliver Glasner’s frustration that should have happened now underscores Guehi’s quality and impact.
It looked like it was going to be Liverpool on Deadline Day in the summer but instead it’s City this January. And what a coup for Pep Guardiola. In the short term, Guehi is a good substitute for the injured Josko Gvardiol. In time, the 25-year-old will be seen as a front-runner as City look to launch another phase of success. Liverpool’s loss is City’s gain – and beating a major rival to their signature could be crucial in the coming seasons.
Last month, Guehi told Sky Sports about his personal desire to go to the next level, with his personal performance. “I’m trying to improve my game and be as good as possible,” he said. Guardiola is the manager of helping players achieve that. However, a move to City’s full-backs looks like a direct switch from a left-back to a full-back who plays in England, despite his role at the back at Palace.
Expect him to take on the challenge with typical determination – but City and their fans will be shouting at the top of their lungs how they can buy this £20m deal from them.
Glasner expresses anger at the sale
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Oliver Glasner scored for Crystal Palace after his depleted side were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
After Crystal Palace’s defeat at Sunderland on Saturday, Oliver Glasner said his side had been left “completely let down” by the club’s management over the decision to sell Guehi so close to the game.
He explained to Sky Sports: “The players gave everything they could. We didn’t change – look at the bench, there are only kids.
“We feel like we have been completely abandoned. To sell our captain one day before the game – there is no understanding of this.”
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Man City signed 12 months ago
January 2025 – £176.1m
Abdukodir Khusanov – Lens, £33.5m
Vitor Reis – Palmeiras, £29.6m
Omar Marmoush – Eintracht Frankfurt, £63.2m
Nico Gonzalez – Porto, £50m
Christian McFarlane – New York City, undisclosed
Juma Bah – The real Valladolid, undisclosed
Summer 2025 – £185.8m
Tijjani Reijnders – AC Milan, £46.3m
Rayan Ait Nouri – Wolves, £36m
Marcus Bettinelli – Chelsea, undisclosed
Ryan Cherki -Lyon, £34m
Sverre Nypan – Rosenborg, £12.5m
James Trafford – Burnley, £31m
Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG, £26m
January 2026 – £84m
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth, £64m
Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace, £20m
