Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in a deal worth an initial £20 million.
The England international joins the Premier League champions after entering the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, a situation that forced Palace to cash in rather than risk losing their captain on a free transfer in the summer. City were able to secure one of the league’s standout defenders at a reduced fee as a result, with the agreement also including a sell-on clause.
Guehi, 25, has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031. Speaking after completing the move, he expressed his pride at joining the club.
“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” Guehi said. “This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players.
“I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know this is the right place for that. Football has given me so much, and to continue my development at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to get started, meet my teammates, understand what the manager expects and show the fans what I can do.”
Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were among the clubs monitoring Guehi’s situation with a view to a potential free transfer this summer.
The former Chelsea defender becomes Pep Guardiola’s second signing of the January window, following the £64 million arrival of forward Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. His addition takes City’s total transfer spend over the past 12 months to £445.9 million across 15 players.
