Marc Guéhi Poised for January Move to Manchester City as Palace Agree £20m Fee

January 16, 2026 Manchester City are on the brink of signing England international Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace, with negotiations reaching an advanced stage and both clubs understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £20 million, including potential add-ons. The 25-year-old centre-back is expected to complete the move before the close of the January transfer window, ending a prolonged period of speculation over his future. Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Guéhi would not feature in the club’s upcoming match as discussions with Manchester City near completion, a development signalling that the transfer is “in the final stages.” Guéhi’s contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season, leaving Palace with the prospect of losing their captain on a free transfer in the summer. That commercial reality appears to have accelerated the timing of the move, with City acting decisively to secure his signature in mid-season rather than risk losing him for nothing later in the year. For Manchester City, the acquisition of Guéhi addresses an urgent defensive need. The Premier League champions have contended with a series of injuries to key centre-backs, prompting Pep Guardiola’s side to reinforce their options at the back. Guéhi’s journey to the Etihad would mark a significant step in his career. After joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021, where his contract included a 20 % sell-on clause, Guéhi swiftly established himself as a mainstay of the Eagles’ defence and was later named club captain. Under his leadership, Palace lifted the FA Cup — famously defeating Manchester City in the final — and secured subsequent silverware, including the Community Shield. The defender has also been linked with interest from several top European clubs, including Liverpool — who last year saw a potential £35 million bid collapse on deadline day — as well as Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Reports suggest that personal terms with City are not expected to pose significant obstacles, and Guéhi is likely to agree a long-term contract upon completion of the move. If finalised, the transfer will underline Manchester City’s strategic business in January while reflecting Crystal Palace’s pragmatic approach to managing the final phase of Guéhi’s contract.