Man City step up pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi

Manchester City are in line to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in the winter transfer window, stepping up their efforts to revamp their defence as they continue to mount a stiff title challenge against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Man City joined the race to secure the signature of Palace’s defender in a move to hijack Liverpool’s chase for the highly-rated player.

Pep Guardiola’s side are now looking to finalise a bargain £20 million plus a significant sell-on clause deal for the Palace centre back before the end of the January transfer window shuts.

Liverpool were in pole position to sign the English defender after failing to complete a £35m late move for the Palace captain in the summer transfer window, following the Eagles’ inability to find a replacement for him.

The Seagulls pulled the plug late in the window, allowing Guehi, who had just a year left on his current contract, to stay till the end of the current Premier League season.

The English international is now edging closer to putting pen to paper in a switch from Selhurst Park to the Etihad Stadium mid-season.

City moved quickly to dash Liverpool’s hopes of signing the defender, who has just six months left on his current Palace contract. The side are 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.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid were all interested in landing the 25-year-old, with Mikel Arteta a huge admirer, although the Gunners would ideally like to wait until this summer when Guehi will be available on a free transfer.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted on X: “Exclusive: Manchester City advance on Marc Guehi deal as big approach has been made in the last 12h.

“Manchester City presented [an] important proposal to Guehi in terms of contract, eventually ready to proceed also with Crystal Palace. Deal now closer with Man City.”

He has started 32 out of 34 games this season. Only 10 outfield players have played more Premier League minutes since the start of last term

Guehi has made 188 appearances for Crystal Palace since he arrived in 2021, has less than six months remaining on his current contract at Selhurst Park, but Man City are ready to agree a winter deal before Transfer Deadline Day on 2 February.

However, City are determined to make him their second signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.