Manchester City confirm signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Manchester City have announced the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on a five-and-a-half year deal for an initial fee of £20 million.

The 25-year-old is widely regarded as one of England’s best defenders and bolsters a depleted Manchester City backline as Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones remain on the sidelines with respective injury problems.

Guehi has enjoyed a series of standout campaigns under Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park, having come very close to joining Liverpool for £20 million last summer only for talks to falter with Crystal Palace, who have now also inserted a sell-on clause in the deal with City.

The England international was entering the final six months of his contract in south London as City quickly proceeded in talks with Crystal Palace and Guehi’s camp, who would have been due a major signing-on bonus at the centre-half’s next club had he seen out the remainder of his Selhurst Park contract.

Moreover, Marc Guehi was initially understood to be keen on honouring his Crystal Palace contract until the end of the season, when he would have his pick of clubs to join as he enters the prime of his career.

Pep Guardiola has been desperate for reinforcements in defence as Manchester City enter the second half of the campaign with a depleted backline, with Ruben Dias sidelined for at least three more weeks and Josko Gvardiol out until May.

Upon completing his highly-anticipated switch to the Etihad Stadium, Marc Guehi said, “I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player. This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career.”

Guehi continued, “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. I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen.

“I love football, it has given me so much for so long, and to be able to continue mydevelopment at Manchester City is a really special moment for me and my family. I absolutely cannot wait to get started now.

“I want to meet my teammates, train hard, understand what the manager expects of me and then show the City fans what I can do.”

Reacting to Manchester City’s second major January acquisition after Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, sporting director Hugo Viana added, “It’s clear Marc has been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now, so we are absolutely delighted to bring him to Manchester City.

“I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve. He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve. He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch.”

Viana continued, “Marc is entering the prime years of his career. I am sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in a sky blue shirt.”

Marc Guehi will ineligible to feature in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League group-stage clash against Bodø/Glimt in Norway as he cannot be registered until the Round of 16 stage – which is likely to see the Englishman make his debut against Wolves on Saturday.