Manchester City have confirmed the signing of centre-back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace for £20 million. The 25-year-old England international has agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031, and he will wear the number 15 shirt.
Guehi joins Pep Guardiola’s side amid a defensive injury crisis, with Josko Gvardiol sidelined with a broken leg and John Stones and Ruben Dias also unavailable. City moved quickly to beat rivals Liverpool and Arsenal to the defender’s signature, accelerating their plans after Gvardiol’s injury.
Speaking after completing the move, Guehi said: “First and foremost, it is such an honour to come play for this club. For me, I have always been obsessed with getting better, wanting to improve, and that is something that I am constantly striving for. I think this is the perfect place to do that.”
Guehi will not be available for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt but could make his debut when Wolves visit the Etihad on Saturday. He is City’s second signing of the January transfer window, following winger Antoine Semenyo.
His departure is a significant blow for Crystal Palace, who have lost the captain that led them to an FA Cup triumph last season. The Eagles are now facing the remainder of the campaign without one of their key defenders.
