Premier League Clubs Launch Frenzied January Pursuit of Marc Guehi
Manchester City have intensified their interest in securing Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guéhi during the January transfer window after concerning injury setbacks to Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Guéhi has attracted significant attention over the past twelve months. Tottenham Hotspur allegedly saw their £70 million ($94.3 million) offer for the England defender rejected by Palace during the January 2025 window. The center-back seemed set for a summer transfer to Liverpool before the Eagles made a last-minute decision to block the move.
With his current deal expiring in six months and no plans for renewal, Guéhi was anticipated to complete the remainder of the campaign at Palace. Oliver Glasner supported this expectation in mid-December.
Nevertheless, this was prior to City's defensive requirements becoming critically urgent.
Pep Guardiola Provides Concerning Update on Dias, Gvardiol
City's 1–1 stalemate against a managerless Chelsea team on Sunday cost them more than just two dropped points. Both of Pep Guardiola's first-choice central defenders, Dias and Gvardiol, sustained injuries during the second period and were substituted.
The Croatian defender experienced discomfort in the 51st minute and required assistance from medical staff and Chelsea captain Reece James to leave the field. Dias followed thirty minutes afterward. Guardiola cautioned that the situation "doesn't appear promising" and estimated both players would be sidelined "for several weeks."
"We have numerous [injuries]," he expressed concern. "John Stones has been absent for an unknown number of months. Rúben will now be unavailable, Josko will be unavailable. Nathan [Aké], we consistently understand that Nathan cannot feature regularly. This is our current predicament.
"Remain resilient and we will discover a remedy. The determination exists and will continue. Naturally I have worries. Did you observe the substitutes today? Four academy players and now we will have additional ones. We lack available players."
This remedy might involve January market activity.
Man City 'Advance' Guéhi Pursuit
City were identified as competing candidates for Guéhi last month. Liverpool were still considered to maintain significant interest in the 25-year-old and seemed to be the sole interested club willing to make a January offer. The European suitors Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona were believed to prefer waiting for a free transfer this summer.
Nevertheless, if Dias and/or Gvardiol receive long-term injury diagnoses, City would be ready to intensify their chase for Guéhi, reports BBC Sport. Guardiola's team remains competitive in the title challenge and continues as candidates for a possible European treble.
Worries regarding defensive options are already apparent from the choice to bring back academy defender Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford. The 20-year-old had established himself in the Hornets' starting eleven during the holiday period, earning six straight league appearances that included three clean sheets.
Despite his ability, Alleyne has not yet featured in City's senior squad. Guéhi would represent a costlier acquisition but offers the possibility of instant contribution alongside future development.