Report: Manchester City considering move for £35m defender

Man City weigh Guehi move as January pressure builds

Manchester City are considering whether to formalise their interest in Marc Guehi, with talkSPORT reporting that a bid for the Crystal Palace captain is now under discussion. The context is instructive rather than impulsive. Injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have exposed an uncharacteristic fragility in the champions’ defensive depth.

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Palace valuation shapes negotiations

Palace are realistic about the direction of travel. They are resigned to losing their skipper when his contract expires in the summer, yet have set a January asking price north of £35million. City are unlikely to meet that figure for a player they could acquire for nothing at the end of the season, but talkSPORT understands sporting director Hugo Viana is prepared to explore an offer before the window closes.

Wider market context complicates deal

Liverpool’s near miss last summer still looms large, after Oliver Glasner blocked a late move on deadline day. At present, however, the champions are thought not to be planning a January approach, believing the overall cost of the package to be prohibitive.

Player stance remains calm

Guehi is seeking wages of around £200,000 a week and can sign a pre contract agreement with European clubs. He is relaxed about seeing out his deal at Selhurst Park, a position that gives Palace leverage now and City patience later.

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Injuries have undoubtedly stretched the City defence, but there is confidence that the club will not overpay simply to soothe short term discomfort. Guehi is admired because he fits the profile, composed, tactically intelligent, and comfortable defending high, but fans understand why January complicates the maths.

There is also an acceptance that City’s recruitment operates on timing as much as talent. Paying over £35million now for a player available for nothing in the summer cuts against everything supporters have come to expect from the club’s decision making. The mention of a possible bid feels more like leverage and positioning than inevitability.

Supporters would welcome Guehi in the long term, especially as part of a refreshed defensive unit, but not at the expense of precedent. If City wait, trust their depth to recover, and revisit the deal later, most fans will see that as strength rather than hesitation. Patience, after all, has rarely let this club down.