3500万ポンドの対立：マンチェスター・シティはクリスタル・パレスのゲイヒの値段を満たすことに消極的で、ディフェンダーは週200,000ポンドの移籍を目指している

Manchester City’s interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is growing, but the deal is quickly becoming complicated. According to talkSPORT chief reporter Alex Crook, City are considering making a formal move — yet they are unwilling to meet Palace’s £35 million asking price.

A defence in trouble

City’s situation at the back has turned serious. Their first-choice left centre-back is out for the season, while defensive leader Rúben Dias is expected to miss around six weeks. In the middle of a tight title race with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side suddenly find themselves short of reliable options.

The club have already recalled 20-year-old talent Alein, who has partnered Khusanov in recent games with decent results. But asking two young defenders to carry City’s back line for the rest of the season, while fighting for the title, looks like a massive gamble.

That’s why, despite their long-term plans to develop Alein, City are still keeping the door open to signing Guehi.

Contract pressure changes the game

Guehi, an England international and Palace captain, has only six months left on his contract. Last summer, he was close to leaving for around £35 million, but the move was blocked at the final moment by Palace’s manager.

Now, Palace are still holding firm on the same price tag. City, however, feel that paying £35 million for a player who can leave for free in six months simply doesn’t make sense — especially in January.

The wage demand problem

The transfer fee is only half of the problem.

Guehi currently earns around £50,000 per week at Crystal Palace, but he is reportedly asking for a salary close to £200,000 per week at his next club. For a 25-year-old, top-level centre-back, that figure is not outrageous — but it significantly increases the total cost of the deal.

From Guehi’s perspective, waiting until the summer could be even more profitable: he could join a new club for free, secure a huge contract, and collect a large signing-on bonus.

That puts City in a tricky position. If they want him now, they would have to:

• Pay a transfer fee
• Meet his salary demands
• Likely add a signing bonus to compensate for his lost free-transfer opportunity

At that point, even for a club like Manchester City, the deal starts to look very inefficient.

Internal solutions exist

City also know they have alternatives.

Their Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder has already proven he can play at centre-back — including during the 2022 World Cup, where he performed solidly in that role. Given his heavy workload as a defensive midfielder, a temporary move into central defence could even help manage his minutes.

There is also Nico González. When he arrived last season, Guardiola openly discussed the possibility of converting him into a centre-back if needed. That suggests City see real defensive potential in him.

Not a must-buy — and not at that price

All of this leads to one clear conclusion: Guehi is a good option, but not an essential one — and certainly not at £35 million.

City may still try to negotiate, especially if Palace soften their stance. But unless the price drops significantly, Guardiola’s side seem perfectly prepared to solve the problem internally rather than overpay in January.

In short: Manchester City need a defender — but they don’t need to be someone else’s £35 million mistake.