Manchester City are understood to be progressing with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi which would see the England international join the Blues this month.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola wouldn't be drawn on Manchester City's advances in a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi when the Blues boss faced the media ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby. The Manchester Evening News understands that City are set to agree a deal for a January move for Guehi.
The Blues are confident of making the England international their second signing of the month following the £62.5m move for Antoine Semenyo. Guehi is out of contract in the summer and the 25-year-old won't be signing a new deal. Liverpool came close to securing his signature last summer before the move broke down in the final hours of the window.
Arne Slot's side have again been linked with a move, as have Arsenal and Bayern Munich. But City have sanctioned a sizeable deal this month despite Guehi being a free agent come the end of the season. Palace have been reluctant to sell but have been pushing for around £40m to make the figures add up while City may have to go over £30m to get the move done.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed that a deal was close in his press conference on Friday: “My latest understanding is the deal for Marc is in the final stages.
“I cannot confirm the club’s [latest]. It’s not done. But the result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us. I mentioned it a few weeks ago. I was pretty clear. Every player, depending on their contract situation, there is a price where the club say they want to do it.
“When a player says they want to move, a deal happens. It looks like it happens now. Everybody wants Marc to stay forever, Crystal Palace captain, and playing, but the reality is different."
City have accelerated their interest due to a defensive injury crisis that has seen Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol pick up injuries to join John Stones on the treatment table. That prompted the Blues to recall Max Alleyne from a loan spell at Championship club Watford and the 20-year-old has started the last two City matches alongside Abdukodir Khusanov in a pairing that could continue again at Manchester United this weekend.
Guardiola simply said "nothing to say" when asked about Guehi in his press conference on Friday afternoon. Asked about how difficult the injury issues at the back are making it for City at the moment, the boss added: "Without John, without Ruben, without Josko, we are in a difficult situation for a long period. Ruben will be back soon, John hopefully, we will see."