Manchester City’s aggressive transfer market continued with the £20million signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Guehi joins £62.5m Antoine Semenyo through the Etihad doors this month and while not eligible for Tuesday’s Champions League tie at Bodo/Glimt, will be available for the weekend.
The England international has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract thought to be worth up to £300,000 a week and would be considered a long-term replacement for John Stones, whose deal expires this summer.
City had wanted to press ahead with signing Guehi on a free transfer at the end of the season but have stolen a march on Premier League rivals by purchasing him now instead.
That is in part down to the injuries to Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with the latter likely to miss much of the campaign with a broken leg.
Guehi, 25, has long been admired by City – who felt they didn’t have the space in their squad to pursue a move last summer, when Guehi became within hours of joining Liverpool for £35m before Palace pulled the plug.
‘It’s a relief,’ Guehi 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.
‘I want to grow as a player and a person, and I know at this club that’s going to happen. I’ve always been obsessed with getting better and to improve. That’s something I’m constantly striving for and I think this is the perfect place for me to do that.
‘The environment, I’ve heard so much about the club and the fans, the players and manager speak for themselves – it’s definitely the right environment for me to improve and get better. Hopefully, I can bring what I have to the table to help every single person here too.’
Guehi added: ‘When the stadium’s rocking, it’s unbelievable. I’ve been on the end of some losses here and when it’s loud, it’s loud. I’m really looking forward to being here.’
City can all but secure a top eight spot in Europe with victory in Norway on Tuesday before Guehi meets his new team-mates ahead of the Premier League clash with Wolves.
Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t won in four league games and are now seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
‘There are so many exciting, young players as well that have come into the squad and want to do their best,’ Guehi said.
‘With the arrival of Antoine, who is an amazing player and he’s proven himself in the Premier League – it’s fantastic and I just want to come in and help and just do my part, be one of the lads and just try to improve. It’s such an honour, such a big club.’
Director of football Hugo Viana referenced the intense competition for Guehi’s signature by saying: ‘I am so pleased it was us he chose to join. Marc is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch.’
