Manchester City’s winter business has taken on fresh urgency as Pep Guardiola’s side grapple with an unexpected defensive shortage, and attention has now turned firmly towards Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi.
A campaign that has already tested City’s depth was stretched further during a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Chelsea, when Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were both forced off injured.
Dias, a cornerstone of Guardiola’s defence, is expected to be sidelined for at least another month with a hamstring problem, while Gvardiol faces a significantly longer absence after fracturing the tibia in his right leg, an injury that could keep him out until April.
Those setbacks have landed at an awkward moment in the title race. City trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by six points, with the gap remaining unchanged after a midweek round that saw Mikel Arteta’s side held by Liverpool at the Emirates.
Guardiola’s team, meanwhile, were unable to turn dominance into victory against Brighton and Hove Albion, drawing for the third consecutive league game of 2026.
Against that backdrop, particularly regarding Manchester City’s winter business, they moved decisively in the transfer market. The club announced the £64m signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on Friday morning, adding pace and power to an attacking unit that has leaned heavily on Erling Haaland in recent weeks.
Semenyo’s arrival also helps offset the temporary loss of Omar Marmoush, who is representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
But while the forward line has been reinforced, it is the backline that now demands immediate attention. Dias and Gvardiol are Guardiola’s preferred central pairing, and their simultaneous absence has prompted senior figures at the Etihad Stadium to accelerate plans that had previously been pencilled in for the summer.
At the top of that list is Guehi, a player City have admired for some time and one whose profile fits the club’s long-term vision.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has now indicated that City are prepared to act immediately.
Speaking on his YouTube channel about Manchester City’s winter business, Romano outlined the club’s determination to press ahead with a move during the current window rather than waiting until the end of the season.
“Man City want the deal to happen now, Man City are prepared to bid to Crystal Palace and try to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi,” said Romano.
According to Romano, confidence at the Etihad extends beyond the player’s suitability on the pitch. City believe that striking a deal with Palace would not present major financial obstacles, even in the middle of the season, when selling clubs are often reluctant to part with key assets.
“City believe it would not be a problem to reach a financial agreement with Crystal Palace for the defender. The real crucial point here is the player.
“Man City are negotiating with the agents of Marc Guehi – and now Guehi has to decide because the original plan for the defender has always been, ‘Let’s move in the summer. Complete the season at Palace and then move in the summer transfer window on a free’.”
That plan has its appeal. Waiting until the summer would allow Guehi to see out the campaign as Palace’s defensive leader and assess his options without the complication of a transfer fee.
A free move would also give him greater leverage in contract talks, potentially opening the door to several elite clubs.
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“It’s a better contract and the opportunity to decide whatever he wants in terms of the club, so to take his time and not having to negotiate club to club on anything,” Romano added.
“But Man City want him now, Man City want to jump into it in a very strong way, and Man City believe again that reaching an agreement with Palace would not be a problem.
“So it’s on the player’s side now to decide what he wants to do; go to City immediately, or maybe wait for a different opportunity with Liverpool and more clubs keen eventually on Marc Guehi.
“So that’s going to be a really big story in the upcoming days and weeks with a decision expected soon by Marc Guehi – together with his agents.”
For City, the appeal is clear. Guardiola values defenders who can step into midfield during build-up play, remain calm under pressure and adapt to multiple tactical shapes.
Guehi’s experience in a Palace side that often defends deep, combined with his composure on the ball, suggests he could make that transition with time and coaching.
City’s recall of academy defender Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford underlines the seriousness of the situation. While Alleyne offers youthful energy and familiarity with the club’s methods, relying on an inexperienced option alone would be a gamble for a team still competing on several fronts.
