This week, fresh details have emerged regarding England international Marc Guehi’s decision to join Manchester City.
Guehi finalized a £20 million transfer from Crystal Palace last week, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract that will see him earn just under £300,000 per week at the Etihad Stadium.
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The 25-year-old was on the verge of moving to Liverpool last summer, but the transfer fell through at the last moment. Undeterred, Guehi went on to have an impressive first half of the 2025-26 season at Crystal Palace.
Following injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4, Manchester City intensified their efforts to secure the Ivory Coast-born defender, reinforcing their backline with the astute signing of the former Crystal Palace captain.
Guehi had several options as he entered the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, with major clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid competing with Manchester City for his signature.
Ultimately, City’s eagerness to finalize a deal this month and Palace’s desire to avoid losing the defender for free in the summer paved the way for Guehi to join Pep Guardiola’s side last week.
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In an interview with Football Transfers, market analyst Duncan Castles discussed Guehi’s thought process behind his move from Crystal Palace to Manchester City, highlighting personal factors that appealed to the club.
“When considering why he (Guehi) opted for Manchester City instead of waiting for offers from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or another major European club, a move to the north-west was always anticipated if a big club emerged. Many of his friends are located there, making it his preferred choice,” Castles explained.
“He was prepared to join Liverpool (in 2025), but when Manchester City became an option, it was a fitting match for him. They highlighted his character: he’s dedicated to football, values family, regards church as significant in his life, and is a positive influence in the dressing room.
“Thus, you’re acquiring not just a top-tier player on the pitch but also a wonderful individual who will seamlessly integrate into the squad.”
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Though Guehi was ineligible for City’s 3-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt just a day after his transfer was confirmed, he made a remarkable full debut for the Blues, helping secure a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
He will again be unavailable for Wednesday night’s final UEFA Champions League group-stage match against Galatasaray, but Guardiola and his team have secured one of England’s finest defenders at a bargain price, as they pursue silverware across multiple competitions in the latter half of the season.