Marc Guehi is set to leave Crystal Palace for Manchester City, with Oliver Glasner confirming that negotiations are at an advanced stage ahead of the Premier League match against Sunderland. The England defender, whose deal at Selhurst Park ends in the summer, has reportedly agreed a long-term contract with the current Premier League champions.
Manchester City move for Guehi after defensive injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias earlier in January left Pep Guardiola short of options at the back. The 25-year-old centre-back had attracted interest from leading European clubs for the 2025-26 season, highlighting Guehi’s rising status at both domestic and international level.
Liverpool were close to an agreement with Palace before that transfer
broke down late in the process, and reports suggested renewed interest for a January switch. However, Liverpool have not acted on that possibility, allowing Manchester City to step in and move close to a deal that now appears near completion, subject to final details.
Glasner explained that Guehi will not feature against Sunderland as talks continue, and underlined the implications for Palace’s planning. "Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages. We can't confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn't play tomorrow for us," Glasner told reporters.
The Palace head coach then spoke at length about Guehi’s attitude and the likelihood of the transfer finally going through. "When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now. Everyone wanted Marc [Guehi] to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showedit in the summer, shown it the whole autumn that he was 100% committed to the team and toPalace. I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy. "
Glasner revealed that the dressing room learned of Guehi’s departure plans during a regular team meeting, and said the squad needed a moment to process the news. "It was for all of us. We had a meeting as normalplayers are a little surprised," Glasner added. "I told them we sold Michael Olise, and it was the best season in Palace's history. We lost Eze, and we are right now four points better than last year. We could always cope with the situation and we will show. It is up to us to show we can cope with this situation, again. "
We travel to Sunderland at the weekendpic.twitter.com/MlPsma9s6nCrystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 15, 2026
Guehi joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and became a central figure in the squad. Across all competitions, Guehi has played 188 matches, scored 11 goals and supplied seven assists. The defender also captained the club to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, securing Palace’s first major trophy.
Guardiola was asked directly about Manchester City’s interest in Guehi during a news conference on Friday, but chose not to engage with the topic. The City manager replied with a brief "nothing to say. " Guardiola did, however, outline the wider defensive issues facing the squad following several key injuries.
The manager detailed the current situation at the back, listing three important defenders who are unavailable. "Without John [Stones], Ruben [Dias], Josko [Gvardiol] we are in a difficult situation for a long, long period," Guardiola added on his team's defensive issues. "Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we will see. " The situation has increased the need for reinforcements such as Guehi.
Marc Guehi Manchester City move and other Palace exits
Crystal Palace could also lose Jean-Philippe Mateta before the end of the window, with Glasner confirming that the forward may leave for an acceptable offer. Mateta originally arrived in 2021 on loan from Mainz, later making the switch permanent, and has been a reliable source of goals during Palace’s recent strong campaigns.
Mateta has scored 56 goals in 184 appearances for Palace, including 17 strikes in the 2024-25 season, underlining Mateta’s importance in attack. Combined with Guehi’s imminent exit, any move for Mateta would mark another major change for Glasner’s squad, yet the coach pointed to past departures as evidence the club can handle significant turnover.
