Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for £20m.
The England defender, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, almost joined Liverpool last summer, and was out of contract at the end of this season.
Guehi had a medical on Sunday after agreeing personal terms with City and has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract.
The Chelsea academy product has played 188 times for Palace since joining from Swansea in 2021, with 33 of his appearances coming this season as they embarked on their first Conference League campaign.
His arrival follows City’s signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £62.5m on 9 January.
Guehi said he is “really happy and incredibly proud” to become a City player.
“This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career,” he added.
“I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that.”
Why have Man City signed Guehi?
City first started talks with Guehi, 25, earlier this month following injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
For Saturday’s defeat at neighbours Manchester United, City fielded an back four containing three players aged 21 or under – Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne – alongside 30-year-old Nathan Ake. Alleyne was replaced at half-time by fellow 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly.
Defending was their big weakness against United, who won the game 2-0, and Guehi’s arrival will add some much-needed experience and quality to City’s backline.
On statistics compiled since the start of last season, Guehi ranks inside the top 10 among Premier League centre-backs for clean sheets, duels won, aerial duels won and line-breaking passes. This season he is in the top 10 for interceptions, recoveries and duel success.
He will also provide strong leadership, having captained Palace to victory over City in last May’s FA Cup final, as well as playing a major part in England’s run to the final of the 2024 European Championship.
