Crystal Palace's manager, Oliver Glasner, has opened up about the potential mid-season transfer of their captain, Marc Guehi, to Manchester City. Glasner's recent statements suggest that while the club would prefer to keep the English international, a departure could be sanctioned this January if two primary conditions are met. This development offers a clear signal regarding the club's evolving stance on Guehi's future amid growing interest from top-tier teams.
The possibility of Guehi joining Manchester City has gained traction following a series of defensive setbacks for the Premier League champions, including injuries to key players Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias. These unfortunate events have reportedly reignited discussions within the Etihad Stadium regarding the need for immediate defensive reinforcements. Although Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, initially downplayed the likelihood of January signings, the persistent injury woes and Crystal Palace's recent indications have altered the landscape. It's also worth noting that Manchester City has reportedly held a long-standing interest in Guehi, with scouting efforts dating back to the tenure of former sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
From Crystal Palace's perspective, Guehi's contract situation is a significant factor. With his current deal approaching its final months, the club faces a strategic decision: balance the undeniable sporting value of retaining their captain against the financial implications of potentially losing him on a free transfer in the summer. During his latest media appearance, Glasner explicitly stated that Guehi's move to Manchester City would proceed if a 'massive offer' is tabled and, crucially, if the player himself 'wants to do it'. This dual condition highlights both the financial and personal aspects influencing such a high-profile transfer.
Glasner emphasized, "Everybody wants that he plays for Crystal Palace, signs a new contract and stays here forever." However, he also acknowledged the harsh realities of professional football, stating, "On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says: ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue.’" He further elaborated that if a player expresses a desire to leave and the offer surpasses a certain financial threshold, the transfer is likely to occur. His candid admission, "I’m not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from [Manchester] City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen," leaves little doubt about the club's pragmatic approach.
These comments align with earlier reports suggesting that Palace would only entertain a January sale if Manchester City were willing to exceed their current valuation, believed to be significantly higher than the approximately £35 million Liverpool reportedly agreed to pay last summer for a different player. With young defender Max Alleyne already recalled from loan and further academy involvement being considered, Manchester City is currently assessing whether to intensify negotiations or defer the situation until later in the transfer window. Should Guehi formally express a desire to depart and Manchester City's offer aligns with Palace's financial expectations, a January deal could materialize rapidly. For now, discussions remain delicately poised, but Crystal Palace has for the first time openly acknowledged that a transfer is a distinct possibility.