By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | Jan 16, 2026 | Sports
The Marc Guéhi Man City transfer is no longer a matter of if, but when. As Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed this afternoon in a briefing shared by Sky Sports, the 25 year old England international is in the final stages of a move to the Etihad and will sit out tomorrow’s clash against Sunderland to finalize terms. In a winter window defined by caution, City’s decisive swoop for Guéhi marks a significant shift in the Premier League title race, proving that Pep Guardiola’s side remains the most ruthless operator in the market.
The Etihad Emergency: Why the Marc Guéhi Man City Transfer Happened Now
For much of the season, Manchester City’s defensive depth has been tested to its breaking point. With Rúben Dias nursing a persistent hamstring issue and Joško Gvardiol sidelined with a tibial fracture, the defending champions were staring at a catastrophic gap in their backline.
The decision to accelerate the Marc Guéhi Man City transfer is a direct response to this crisis. While rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal were reportedly content to wait until the summer of 2026 to sign Guéhi for free, France24 reports that City reached a definitive agreement after recognizing their title defense couldn’t wait six months. By paying a reported survival premium of £30m, City secures a Premier League proven captain who is ready to start immediately.
Guardiola’s Tactical Silence
Despite the mounting evidence of an imminent announcement, Pep Guardiola has maintained his signature wall of silence regarding the move. In his most recent press conference, Guardiola dismissed the Guéhi transfer rumors with his typical nothing to say stance, even as Palace officials confirmed the deal was in its final stages. This classic misdirection from the City boss is a familiar sight for fans, used to mask the final paperwork being filed in a high profile hijack.
A Brutal Lesson for Liverpool and the Wait and See Elite
Perhaps the most significant subplot of the Marc Guéhi Man City transfer is the frustration it leaves at Anfield. Liverpool had been the long term frontrunners for Guéhi’s signature, with a deal famously collapsing on deadline day in August 2025.
By hesitating to meet Crystal Palace’s valuation earlier, Liverpool allowed the door to stay open. City didn’t just walk through that door, they kicked it down. This move serves as a reminder that in the modern era of PSR and tight margins, waiting for a bargain often results in losing the player entirely to a direct rival with a more urgent checkbook.
The Selhurst Park Reset and the Chelsea Windfall
The timing of Guéhi’s exit marks the end of an era for Crystal Palace. With Oliver Glasner also confirmed to be leaving his post in June, the club is entering a total structural rebuild. However, Palace isn’t the only club benefiting from this deal. Chelsea is set to receive a substantial 20% sell on fee from the transfer, providing a timely boost to their own financial accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate Solution: The Marc Guéhi Man City transfer provides Pep Guardiola with vital coverage following long term injuries to Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol.
- Strategic Hijack: City exploited Liverpool’s hesitation, securing a top tier defender for £30m just six months before his contract was set to expire.
- England Impact: The move significantly boosts Guéhi’s chances of starting for England in the 2026 World Cup by giving him consistent Champions League experience.
- Sell on Success: Chelsea will net a 20% cut of the final fee, assisting their own PSR compliance for the current window.
FAQ
Has Marc Guéhi signed for Man City?
While an official club announcement has not yet been released, the deal is in its final stages. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed today that a deal with Manchester City is nearing completion and that Guéhi will not be in the squad to face Sunderland tomorrow. Reports from major outlets, including the BBC and Fabrizio Romano, indicate that a fee between £20m and £30m has been agreed upon.
Why did Guéhi not go to Liverpool?
Liverpool came incredibly close to signing Guéhi on the summer 2025 deadline day for a fee of £35m. The deal collapsed at the eleventh hour because Crystal Palace was unable to secure a suitable replacement in time. Specifically, their primary target to replace him Igor Julio opted for a different move, forcing Palace to block Guéhi’s exit to protect their squad depth. In the current January window, Liverpool chose not to rival City’s bid, viewing the mid season market as less of a strategic opportunity than they did last summer.
Who is Marc Guéhi?
Marc Guéhi is a 25 year old elite center back and the current captain of Crystal Palace.
Early Career: He developed in the Chelsea academy before a standout loan spell at Swansea City.
Club Success: He joined Palace in 2021 and recently led the team to an FA Cup victory in 2025.
International: A mainstay for the England national team, he earned 26 caps and was a key starter in the Euro 2024 final. He is widely regarded for his leadership, 1v1 defending, and composure on the ball.
Which players are coming to Man City in 2025-2026?
Manchester City has been the most active club in the Premier League during the 2025-2026 cycle. The confirmed arrivals include:
January 2026 (Winter Window):
Antoine Semenyo: Forward from Bournemouth (£62.5m).
Marc Guéhi: Center back from Crystal Palace (Final stages).
Summer 2025 (Pre Season Window):
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Goalkeeper from PSG.
James Trafford: Goalkeeper from Burnley.
Tijjani Reijnders: Midfielder from AC Milan.
Rayan Cherki: Attacking Midfielder from Lyon.
Rayan AïtN ouri: Left Back from Wolves.
Sverre Nypan: Midfielder from Rosenborg.
Marcus Bettinelli: Goalkeeper from Chelsea.
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