Marc Guehi Set for January Transfer After Premier League Giants Agree Fee

The Crystal Palace defender has opted to move this winter, rather than wait until his contract expires.

Marc Guéhi could be on the move this month. | James Gill-Danehouse/Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed centre back Marc Guéhi will leave the club this month, with reports stating Manchester City have struck a deal for the England international.

It was widely expected that Guéhi would wait until his contract expired in the summer before leaving Palace—that was at least what Glasner predicted as recently as mid-December. That scenario would have set up an intriguing scramble for the centre back’s signature, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich battling Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City for the free agent.

However, City’s urgent need for defensive reinforcements has dramatically altered the landscape.

Pep Guardiola will be without Rúben Dias for at least another month while Joško Gvardiol is set to be “out for a long time” with a broken leg. John Stones remains a fixture of the treatment room, forcing 20-year-old Max Alleyne into emergency service after being hurriedly recalled from his loan spell at Watford.

While all Guéhi’s other suitors were content to wait until a summer bidding war, City have struck this month. Fabrizio Romano was the first to report that Guardiola’s side had made a “big approach” for the 25-year-old and The Athletic have since confirmed a deal worth upwards of £20 million ($26.8 million) is on the cusp of being agreed.

A depleted defence has Man City looking at signing Marc Guehi this window. pic.twitter.com/6ys6S5yjro

— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) January 7, 2026

Palace were thought to be demanding in the region of £40 million for their club captain despite the shortness of his existing contract but, having weighed up the prospect of losing him on a free transfer, have now opted to accept a bid.

With the Eagles thought to look upon the details of the agreement favourably and personal terms not considered to be an issue for Guéhi, all that remains is for the player to pass his medical and sign what is reported to be a contract until 2031.

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Oliver Glasner Confirms Guéhi’s Imminent Exit

Marc Guéhi will be out of contract in July. | Sebastian Frej/Getty Images

News of City’s agreement with Palace emerged just minutes before Eagles boss Glasner sat down in front of the media to discuss Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace.

Predictably, Guéhi’s future was among the headline topics and Glasner, who confirmed his own plans to leave at the end of the season, revealed an exit for Guéhi is close to being wrapped up.

“A deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said.

“I can’t confirm the club because it’s still not done, but it’s the final stages and the result is that Marc doesn’t play [against Sunderland] tomorrow for us.”

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