Manchester City have confirmed the signing of England international Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on a five-and-a-half-year contract. The move, reportedly worth £20 million, comes as City respond to an ongoing centre-back injury crisis during the January transfer window. Widely expected in recent weeks, the deal strengthens Pep Guardiola’s squad as they continue their Premier League title push.
City increased their interest in Guehi in a deal that was stated to have cost them up to £20 million ($27 million) after their centre-half situation had become acutely injured and the deal was reported to have been expected by most.
In a statement made by Manchester City, the centre-back said: “I am very happy and extremely proud to be a Manchester City player”.
“It is a step that seems to be the result of all my efforts I made in my career. I am now in the most successful club in England and an incredible team of players”.
“It is nice to be in a position to say so. I would like to develop as a player and as a human being, and I understand that I will do it in this club”.
Hugo Viana, the director of football at the city, said that Guehi has been among the best defenders in English football since a long time.
“I think we have brought in a big talent and he will enable us to improve, he said. It is only 25 and he has already proven to be a leader, brilliant in his profession and someone who is desperate to make things better”.
The second player to sign in the January transfer window after City secured winger Antoine Semenyo, also of Bournemouth, last week at a cost of approximately £65 million is Guehi who almost joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September.
The defender led Palace to FA Cup victory in May over City the first major one in the history of the London club and won 26 England caps.
Other clubs were said to have shown interest in the defender, such as Liverpool again and Bayern Munich were reported to have been looking at a move at the season one end when Guehi was set to become a free agent.
On Friday, Palace manager Oliver Glasner said he knew that the deal was at its last stage.
City led by Pep Guardiola rank second in the premier league seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
The team lacked central defenders John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol who were all absent in the 2 goals to 0 loss to Manchester United on Saturday at Old Trafford.
