Manchester City await Marc Guehi verdict as January transfer pursuit placed on hold | OneFootball

Hugo Viana and Manchester City would be prepared to make a push to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in January, on certain conditions, according to reports.

The January transfer window is shaping up to be one of careful calculation rather than aggressive overhaul at the Etihad Stadium, with City’s recruitment team working across multiple scenarios whilst balancing immediate squad needs with longer-term planning.

Defensive recruitment remains a key topic, and while City possess a number of high-level centre-back options, availability and fitness concerns in recent seasons have underlined the importance of depth and adaptability.

As a result, the club have kept close tabs on defenders capable of stepping into Pep Guardiola’s system without requiring a lengthy bedding-in period, and Marc Guehi’s profile has long appealed to City decision-makers.

The Crystal Palace captain is a proven Premier League performer, a regular England international, and a leader within Oliver Glasner’s Palace squad, whilst his comfort in possession and positional intelligence align with City’s defensive principles.

And according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, should Guehi now say ‘Yes’ to an Etihad Stadium switch, Hugo Viana and his recruitment colleagues will make an attempt to sign the defender in the upcoming January transfer window.

It is claimed that the England international has been open to various proposals, including Liverpool next month and Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, and the player would prefer to leave now and help Crystal Palace generate a fee for his services.

As for Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb – who is expected to depart amid the club’s pursuit of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo – it is reported that the Norwegian international ‘could be a big factor in play’ with Crystal Palace.

If Crystal Palace are indeed open to discussions, the structure of any potential deal could prove decisive with Manchester City having previously demonstrated a willingness to use player movements creatively to facilitate transfers.

From City’s perspective, a January move would remove uncertainty surrounding Guehi’s future and avoid a highly competitive race in the summer, when several European heavyweights are expected to enter the picture.

However, the club are unlikely to proceed without full alignment from the player, Palace, and their own financial planning. As such, for now, the situation appears finely balanced.

Much depends on Marc Guehi’s final decision and Crystal Palace’s stance on losing their captain midway through the campaign. Should conditions align, City are clearly positioned to move quickly, but until then, their pursuit remains on hold.