Manchester City sign Guehi amid defensive crisis

Manchester City has confirmed the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in a reported 20 million-pound (26.8 million U.S. dollars) deal to strengthen its defense after recent injury setbacks.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) challenges for a header with Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guehi during the FA Community Shield final match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Aug. 10, 2025. (Xinhua)

The club announced Monday the signing of Guehi on a five-and-a-half-year deal, through to the summer of 2031.

Manchester City first opened talks with the 25-year-old earlier this month following injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.

Those absences were evident in Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United, when Pep Guardiola's side fielded a back four featuring three players aged 21 or under - Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne - alongside 30-year-old Nathan Ake. Alleyne was replaced at halftime by another 20-year-old, Nico O'Reilly.

Guehi said he is "really happy and incredibly proud" to become a Manchester City player.

"This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career," he said.

"I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that," he added.