Crystal Palace to ‘drive up’ Marc Guehi price after Man City latest
Crystal Palace could take advantage of Man City’s injury woes to get a higher fee for defender Marc Guehi.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider his verdict on Guehi departing Crystal Palace for Man City in January.
Man City have lost defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to injury, whilst John Stones is also on the sidelines.
Guehi has become a top target for Man City, with the 25-year-old’s contract at Selhurst Park expiring at the end of the season.
Marc Guehi price tag ‘is going up’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes Man City may have to pay a “premium” to sign Guehi in January.
“I think they’ll drive it up, for sure. And I think there’s again, there are a few factors we can talk about here that tend to happen with English to English transfers for one, but also at this time of the year,” Plumley said.
“So, again, if you’re looking at Crystal Palace, they probably know he’s likely to move on at some point. Obviously, the deal was nearly done for Liverpool in the summer. And now City are coming back in January for him, or asking the question, because of their injury worries.
“They [Crystal Palace] don’t need to sell. So a lot of that comes back to the player. But if you are Crystal Palace, that price tag is going up. You know, Palace are going to ask for more now, because they know that City are under the cost a little bit, with the injuries.
“So you’re going to make it worth your advantage. They’re going to look to put a premium on it. And what’s also interesting about this as well, of course, with how it played out last summer, is where those two teams are at, Manchester City and Liverpool, and what the player wants to do. At the minute, you know, Liverpool have not hit the heights, and there is a question mark about Champions League for them as we’re talking in January.
“Whereas for City, you would think that, you know, they might not win the league, but they will finish in the top four. So that’s an interesting factor in this as well, in terms of where Guehi perhaps wants to go anyway, you know, versus what City need right now.”
Man City make transfer announcement
Man City have made their first January signing after announcing the arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
Semenyo’s £65million release clause was activated by Man City, with the 26-year-old signing a contract until 2031 at the Etihad.
The forward will add to Man City’s goal threat having netted 10 goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth this season.