Man City have taken a major step in the January transfer market by submitting an official bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
They join the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Arsenal in the race for his signature.
The move comes as Manchester City look to strengthen their squad amid a defensive injury crisis, with Pep Guardiola’s side pushing to add the England international before the English Premier League transfer deadline.
City place their bid
City’s reported offer for the 25-year-old centre-back is around £30 million, according to sources. Real Madrid were allegedly interested in Guehi earlier in the window.
The bid has been formally lodged with Crystal Palace, kicking off negotiations between the clubs.
Personal terms between Guehi and Manchester City are believed not to be an issue. An agreement on salary and contract length is also expected to be straightforward if the two sides can settle on a transfer fee.
Guehi’s contract with Palace expires in June 2026, and he has not agreed on a new deal with his current club.
This situation has put Palace in a position where they could lose him for free at the end of the season. That is, unless they accept an offer now.
City are keen to secure the defender this month rather than wait until the summer, and their bid reflects that urgency.
The England centre-half has been heavily linked with moves to big clubs for some time.
Last summer, an agreement with Liverpool for Guehi was almost finalised. However, Palace pulled out of the deal due to concerns about replacing him in their squad.
That collapse left Guehi at Selhurst Park, where he continued to captain the side through the 2025/26 season.
City’s push and Palace’s reasoning
Man City’s interest in Guehi has been fuelled in part by injuries to key defenders. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have both been sidelined, leaving Guardiola short of experienced centre-backs.
City even recalled young defender Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford to help cover the gap,. However, Marc Guehi remains a target for a more permanent solution.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has previously suggested that Palace would only sell Guehi if the right offer arrived.
If a good offer comes in and the player wants to go, Palace are prepared to let him leave.
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