Manchester City are reportedly considering a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi during the January transfer window, following a series of injuries to key defensive players. The injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias in the recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium have exacerbated an existing defensive crisis for Pep Guardiola's side. John Stones is already on the sidelines, and with Nathan Aké's fitness being carefully managed, City are left with limited options at the heart of their defense.
Gvardiol suffered a tibial fracture to his right leg during the Chelsea match and will undergo surgery, potentially sidelining him for an extended period. Dias was also injured in the game, although the full extent of his injury is still being assessed. Guardiola has expressed his concerns about the mounting injuries, stating that his team is facing a difficult situation with several academy players now potentially needed to fill the gaps in the squad.
Guéhi, the 25-year-old Crystal Palace captain, has emerged as a primary target for City. The England international is also attracting interest from other top clubs, including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid. Liverpool had a £35 million deal in place to sign Guéhi last summer, but the move fell through at the last minute.
Crystal Palace are expected to demand around £40 million for Guéhi, who is out of contract in the summer. This fee is £5 million more than what Liverpool offered last summer, reflecting Palace's need to replace their captain and the disruption his departure would cause to their season. However, reports indicate that City would only be interested in a deal lower than the £35 million Liverpool bid.
Guéhi's contractual situation adds another layer of complexity to the potential transfer. As he is a free agent in the summer, he may prefer to move then to secure a sizable signing-on fee. He also needs to ensure consistent playing time to secure his place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming World Cup. Despite the interest from other clubs, Palace would consider selling Guéhi this winter to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
City's interest in Guéhi dates back several years, with scouting initiated under former sporting director Txiki Begiristain. While Guardiola initially downplayed the likelihood of January reinforcements, the recent injuries have forced a reassessment of their options. The club will await medical updates on Dias and Gvardiol before deciding whether to formalize their interest in Guéhi.
