Bavaria comes away empty-handed
©IMAGO
As expected, Manchester City responded to the injury problems in defense and signed Marc Guéhi. The central defender comes from Crystal Palace six months before the end of his contract and makes the future decision that was actually expected in the summer early. The 25-year-old signed with the ten-time English champions until 2031. FC Bayern, who are also interested, have to look for other options.
Guéhi costs the Skyblues 20 million pounds, the equivalent of around 23 million euros, and a further 10 million pounds (11.5 million euros) can be added through bonus payments. In total, the Eagles are worth almost 35 million euros – an impressive sum when you consider that the England international would have been available for free in the summer. Crystal Palace has the fourth-highest transfer fee in club history.
The fact that the top English club is willing to pay this is due to the injury problem in the squad. Josko Gvardiol will miss the entire second half of the season with a broken shin, coach Pep Guardiola will be without coach Pep Guardiola for several more weeks and John Stones is currently suffering from thigh problems. Guéhi already knows many of his new teammates such as Stones, Nico O’Reilly (24), Phil Foden (25) and Kalvin Phillips (30) from the Three Lions. A reunion with Michael Olise in Munich, however, is off the table. FC Bayern had the defender on the list regardless of the future of Dayot Upamecano, who is expected to extend his contract – but only if there was a free transfer opportunity in the summer.
“I’m very happy and incredibly proud to be a player at Manchester City. This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I’ve put into my career. I’m now at the best club in England and part of an incredible team. It feels good to be able to say that,” explained Guéhi: “I want to develop as a player and as a person and I know I will be able to do that at this club. I love football – it has given me so much, for so long – and the opportunity “Developing myself at Manchester City is a very special moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to get started. I want to get to know my teammates, train hard, understand what the coach expects of me and then show the City fans what I can do.”
