Man City completes signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi

Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for a bargain £20 million, plus add-ons and a reported 10% sell-on clause, after the two clubs agreed a deal on Friday, with the defender completing his medicals on Sunday.

Guehi is now set to ply his trade at the Etihad Stadium under manager Pep Guardiola and has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, with a staggering pay rise, earning a £200,000 weekly wage.

The 25-year-old, who had just six months left on his Palace contract, will be amongst City’s high earners after securing his move.

Before signing for Man City, Guehi was heavily linked with top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Liverpool, with the latter being the leading contender to secure his signature in the summer.

However, Liverpool failed in their pursuit to sign the English international, as Palace pulled the plug late in the summer transfer window to keep the player, after failing to find a suitable replacement for their captain.

The Reds manager, Arne Slot, was highly optimistic about getting his man, due to a “gentleman’s agreement” struck between the club and the player to revive talks and eventually complete the move.

Marc Guehi with Man City manager Pep Guardiola after the defender signed his contract (Image: ManCity/Getty)

Man City stepped up their efforts to revamp their defence with the signing of Guehi, as they continue to mount pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Time was ticking, and Palace had no plan of losing their talisman for free in the summer. A move that would have favoured Liverpool, as well as other European clubs, including Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, who were all keen on making a move for the English centre back.

Mar Guehi presented as the new Man City defender, and will wear the no. 15 jersey (Image: ManCity/Getty)

City hijacked Liverpool’s hopes of signing the Crystal Palace star, after being locked in advanced talks over a deal for Guehi following the recent injuries suffered by their first-choice centre-back pairing, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.

The England star has signed a contract until 2031 at the Etihad, becoming City’s second January signing after Antoine Semenyo.

Speaking after signing his long-term contract with City, Guehi said:

“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player. This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career.

“I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that. I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen.

“I love football, it has given me so much for so long, and to be able to continue my development at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I absolutely cannot wait to get started now. I want to meet my teammates, train hard,
understand what the manager expects of me and then show the City fans what I can do.”

Guehi is ineligible for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at Bodo/Glimt and is expected to make his debut against Wolves this weekend.

He has won 26 England caps and is expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.