Man City increase interest in Marc Guehi due to injury concerns

Manchester City appear as contenders for signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi in the January transfer window as they evaluate their defensive options following a growing injury crisis.

Reports suggest City are exploring a possible move for the England centre-back after Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias suffered injuries on Sunday. Premier League draw with Chelsea, with John Stones also currently absent.

City are waiting to discover the full extent of Gvardiol and Dias’ injuries before making a final decision on whether to agree a deal this month. ‘

However, sources suggest that City’s interest in the 25-year-old has progressed and a January move should not be ruled out.

Pep Guardiola’s defensive resources have been further tested by the recall of academy defender Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Championship side Watford.

The 20-year-old, who made 17 appearances for the Hornets, is back in Manchester as City look to manage their options ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League match against Brighton.

Speaking after Chelsea’s draw, in which City conceded the equalizer in stoppage time, Guardiola admitted the outlook was worrying.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s not looking good” for Dias and Gvardiol, adding that both men could be sidelined “for a few weeks”.

The City manager underlined the scale of the problem facing his side, saying: “We have a lot [of injuries]. John Stones has been missing for I don’t know how many months.

“Ruben will now be out, Josko will be out. Nathan [Ake]we still know he can’t play regularly. This is the situation – stay strong and we will find a solution. The spirit is there and will be there.

Guehi, who won 26 England caps, is out of contract at Crystal Palace this summer and is long expected to leave Selhurst Park on a free transfer at the end of the season. City’s current situation could accelerate that timetable, particularly with Palace open to a sale this month to avoid losing their captain for nothing.

Several European giants, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, have expressed interest in Guehi, with regulations allowing foreign clubs to agree pre-contract terms from this month. Liverpool remain keen after nearly signing him for £35million last summer, only for Palace to pull out of the deal late on deadline day.

City and Liverpool are monitoring the situation closely, whether it involves a January move or a free transfer this summer, as Palace weigh up their options amid growing interest in one of the Premier League’s highest-rated defenders.