Stefan Borson: Marc Guehi is Making ‘Sacrifice’ to Finalise Man City Deal

Football finance expert Stefan Borson has claimed that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is making a significant financial sacrifice to seal his transfer to Manchester City this January, despite his contract expiring in six months.[1][2][3]

Guehi, a 25-year-old England international and former Chelsea defender, is on the verge of joining Pep Guardiola's side after City agreed an initial £20m fee with Palace, including add-ons and a sell-on clause. Sources confirm talks have accelerated in the last 24 hours, with Guehi verbally agreeing to a five-and-a-half-year contract until 2031.[1][2][4] Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed on Friday that a deal is in the "final stages," confirming Guehi's absence from Saturday's Premier League match against Sunderland.[1][2][4]

Borson highlights Guehi's "sacrifice," noting he could have waited until summer to leave as a free agent, attracting interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich. A £35m Liverpool move collapsed last summer on deadline day when Palace couldn't secure a replacement.[3][4] By moving now, Guehi forgoes a potentially massive signing-on bonus and higher wages elsewhere, prioritizing City's project amid their defensive crisis.[1][2]

City's urgency stems from injuries to key centre-backs Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, and John Stones, leaving Guardiola with inexperienced options like 20-year-old Alleyne and 21-year-old Khusanov. Guehi, in peak condition, offers immediate Premier League experience and long-term quality, becoming City's second January signing after Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.[1][2][4]

Guardiola remained tight-lipped pre-Manchester United, while Glasner praised Guehi as a "fantastic guy" at the start of a "great career." Fabrizio Romano's "here we go" confirms Palace accepted the £20m offer, ending months of speculation and thwarting Liverpool's free-transfer hopes.[3]

This coup strengthens City's title bid, six points behind leaders Arsenal, with Guehi slotting into the backline for instant impact.[1][4]

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