Manchester City Step Up Interest in Marc Guehi as Defensive Injuries Mount

Manchester City are likely to make an approach for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi amid their defensive injury crisis.

City are assessing their centre-back depth after Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias both suffered injuries in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea, adding to an already thin department that includes the long-term absence of John Stones.

Pep Guardiola described the situation as “not good” post-match, conceding that several defenders could be sidelined for weeks.

City have long-standing admiration for Guehi, and now a January move is seen as a realistic possibility rather than a contingency plan.

The club are expected to wait for full medical clarity on Gvardiol and Dias before deciding whether to act this month. But internally, there is an acceptance that reinforcement may be required if the injury outlook worsens.

Why Man City Want Marc Guehi

Guehi has quietly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs since joining Palace from Chelsea.

Now club captain, he combines technical security and calm distribution with strong positional awareness – traits that align naturally with Guardiola’s demands.

Capped 26 times by England, Guehi is also approaching a contract crossroads. His current deal expires this summer, meaning he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs from this month. This has sharpened interest across Europe and complicated Palace’s position.

For City, Guehi would offer immediate Premier League-ready depth and long-term security in a position where injuries have repeatedly disrupted Guardiola’s plans.

Marc Guehi Transfer Competition

City are far from alone. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have all registered interest in Guehi ahead of a potential free transfer in the summer.

Liverpool, meanwhile, remain long-term admirers and came close to signing him for £35 million last summer before Palace pulled out late on deadline day.

Bayern Munich are also said to be willing to offer higher wages for Guehi than Liverpool, giving them an advantage.

Both City and Liverpool are understood to be open to signing Guehi on a free at the end of the season. However, Palace may be reluctant to allow their captain to walk away for nothing and would consider a January sale if the right offer arrives.

That calculation has shifted as City’s interest becomes more active. Palace face the difficult balance of maintaining stability for the second half of the season while protecting the asset value of one of their most important players.

City Manage Injuries While Weighing January Move

In the short term, City have recalled 20-year-old defender Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford, where he made 17 Championship appearances.

The academy graduate could be involved as early as Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton, underlining the severity of City’s defensive situation.

Guardiola acknowledged the challenge after the Chelsea draw. “We have a lot [of injuries],” he said. “John Stones is missing for I don’t know how many months. Ruben will be out, Josko will be out. It’s the situation — stay strong and we will find a solution.”

Whether that solution comes internally or via a January move for Guehi may become clear in the coming days. What is increasingly evident is that City’s interest is concrete.