Man City: Marc Guehi set to complete £414m rebuild
Once Guehi officially signs the contract, those at the Etihad Stadium will be delighted to acquire the services of one of the best centre-backs in the country.
Guehi was wanted by clubs all over Europe, not only last summer but also this transfer window.
It is understood that the 25-year-old footballer, whom City has long admired, was ready to wait until the summer months to transfer him, but they had to act quickly and decisively after the injuries of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Although juniors Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne have competed flawlessly, championship runs require finished products with the know-how to compete in big games.
Guehi will provide strong leadership by captaining Palace to a shock FA Cup victory over City at Wembley last season and will also play a key role in England’s run to the 2024 European Championship final.
For an international player with proven Premier League experience and immediate availability in the final months of his contract at Selhurst Park, a fee of £20 million would be considered a very satisfactory deal.
Sources said this was not an impulse transfer or panic buy due to the injury situation, but rather a strategic move for a player who is expected to remain at the club for the long term.
Since the start of last season, Guehi has been in the top 10 among Premier League centre-backs in terms of clean sheets, duels won, aerial duels won and passes over the line. He will bring composure and physical dominance to City’s backline.
His potential signing could also mean the end of John Stones; The English player is currently injured and his contract expires in the summer. The 31-year-old played in just 11 senior matches last season and has played just seven games so far this year.
Earlier this month,, external Guardiola appears to have cast doubt on Stones’ future by saying his injury history should be taken into account in contract negotiations.
