Manchester City have finalized the transfer of England international centre-back Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £20 million (€23m approximately), with additional clauses including a percentage sell-on fee. The 25-year-old defender has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, keeping him tied to the club until the summer of 2031.
The agreement was confirmed on Monday, January 19, 2026, following weeks of negotiations that intensified after injuries depleted City's defensive options. Guéhi underwent a medical over the weekend and completed personal terms swiftly, beating competition from several top clubs that had monitored his situation ahead of a potential free transfer in the summer.
Guéhi, a product of Chelsea's academy, joined Crystal Palace in July 2021 initially on loan before making the move permanent. Over his time at Selhurst Park, he made 188 appearances, established himself as one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders, and was appointed captain ahead of the 2024-25 season. Under manager Oliver Glasner, he led Palace to historic success, captaining the side to their first major trophy by lifting the FA Cup in May 2025 against Manchester City themselves at Wembley Stadium. That victory marked Palace's entry into European competition for the first time in their history.
His leadership and composure were further highlighted during England's run to the Euro 2024 final, where Guéhi emerged as a standout performer for the Three Lions, earning praise for his defensive maturity and ball-playing ability. With 26 caps for England, the Ivory Coast-born, south London-raised defender has long been viewed as a high-potential talent entering his prime years.
The transfer became necessary for Palace due to Guéhi's contract situation. With only six months remaining on his deal, he had made it clear he would not extend his stay at Selhurst Park. Multiple clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich, had shown strong interest in securing him on a free transfer in the summer. Liverpool, in particular, came close to signing him on the final day of the previous summer window in a proposed £35m deal, but Palace withdrew after failing to secure an adequate replacement.
Faced with the prospect of losing their captain for nothing, Palace opted to negotiate a January sale. Manchester City, under manager Pep Guardiola, moved decisively amid a defensive crisis. Key centre-backs Rúben Dias (hamstring), Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), and John Stones (thigh issue) were sidelined, forcing the club to field a youthful backline—including Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Max Alleyne—in recent matches, such as the recent defeat to Manchester United.
Guardiola described Guéhi as a "high-class defender" of the "perfect age," noting his arrival would provide an immediate boost in quality and leadership for the squad's younger defenders. Director of Football Hugo Viana echoed this sentiment, calling Guéhi "a huge talent" who has proven himself as one of the best defenders in English football, a leader, and a professional eager to improve.
Upon completing the move, Guéhi expressed his delight in an official club statement: "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."
The signing marks City's second major addition in the January 2026 transfer window, following the £64m (initial £62.5m guaranteed) acquisition of forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the month. Semenyo, a versatile Ghana international known for his pace, directness, and goal-scoring threat, has already begun integrating into the squad.
These two high-profile arrivals push Manchester City's transfer expenditure over the past 12 months to approximately £445.9m across 15 players, reflecting the club's aggressive strategy to reinforce the squad amid a challenging Premier League campaign. City have drawn their last three league matches prior to the derby, with Erling Haaland's form under scrutiny, leaving them trailing leaders Arsenal by several points.
For Crystal Palace, the departure of their captain represents a significant loss, though the £20m fee—modest for a player of Guéhi's calibre and England status—provides funds for potential replacements. Chairman Steve Parish acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the move, respecting Guéhi's ambition to compete at the highest level while praising his character and contributions.
As Guéhi prepares to make his debut in sky blue, the transfer underscores Manchester City's ability to secure top talent even in the winter window, addressing immediate needs while planning for long-term success under Guardiola's guidance.
