Crystal Palace are on the verge of a seismic squad shake-up, with their captain and defensive linchpin Marc Guehi poised to complete a transfer to Manchester City. The deal, reportedly worth an initial £20 million plus add-ons, has left manager Oliver Glasner incensed and exposed the deepening turmoil at Selhurst Park.
Deal Nears Completion After Medical
According to renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the move is now in its final stages. Romano stated on social media platform X that Marc Guehi has completed the first part of his medical with the Premier League champions, with the formal signing of contracts imminent. The agreement, which was exclusively revealed on Friday, 16th January 2026, has swiftly moved into the "formal steps" phase, signalling the end of Guehi's tenure in South London.
Glasner's Scathing Critique of Club Hierarchy
The timing of the sale has provoked a furious reaction from Eagles boss Oliver Glasner, who had already confirmed his own impending departure at the season's end. Speaking after a damaging 1-0 defeat to Sunderland that left Palace 13th and five points off the top seven, Glasner did not hold back.
"We feel like we're being abandoned completely," Glasner said. "Selling our captain one day before a game - there is no understanding for this." He revealed he was only informed of the deal at 10:30 AM on Friday, just hours before the team travelled for their weekend fixture.
The Austrian manager drew a parallel with the summer sale of Eberechi Eze, which also happened abruptly before a match. "If your heart gets ripped out twice a year... I've been in football for 30 years and never experienced this, not once. Now it happens twice in six or seven months," he lamented, criticising the club's lack of support for his threadbare squad.
A Club in Transition and Further Trouble Ahead
The loss of Guehi is a monumental blow to Palace's ambitions, stripping them of a key starter and their club captain during a poor run of form. The situation is compounded by the confirmed exit of Glasner in the summer and persistent speculation linking star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta with Juventus.
This forced transition period now places enormous pressure on the club's recruitment strategy. Securing a suitable and high-quality replacement for Guehi at centre-back will be the immediate and most critical priority. The club's ability to navigate this turbulent period, both in the boardroom and on the pitch, will define their immediate future in the Premier League.
