Exclusive: Man City submitting £20m offer after 'agreement'

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Manchester City are preparing to submit a formal offer for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi after reaching an initial agreement on the player’s side, as the Premier League champions move quickly to reinforce their injury-hit backline. The 25-year-old England international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has attracted interest from several top clubs, but City are now pushing to beat their rivals to his signature in the January window.

The report states that City have intensified their pursuit following injuries to key centre-backs, leaving Pep Guardiola short of senior defensive options and accelerating plans that were originally focused on the summer. With Guéhi able to leave for free in a few months, Palace face pressure to cash in now rather than risk losing him without a fee, and internal talks have led to a softening of their stance compared to previous windows when they blocked moves despite substantial bids.

City’s opening proposal is understood to be worth around £20 million, a figure below Palace’s historic valuation but considered reasonable given the defender’s contract situation and the limited time left on his deal. Negotiations are expected to centre on add-ons and potential clauses that could raise the overall package, with Palace determined to secure the best possible return while acknowledging that keeping an unsettled player approaching free agency carries its own risks.

Guéhi is viewed inside the Etihad as a ready-made Premier League defender who can slot into Guardiola’s system immediately, offering composure on the ball, strong positioning and the versatility to operate across different defensive shapes. The article adds that City’s move may force other suitors to act, but the presence of an agreement in principle with the player puts the champions in a strong position to complete the deal if they can reach a compromise with Palace over the fee.