Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is on the brink of leaving Selhurst Park, with Manchester City pushing hard to secure the England defender in a deal that would underline his rise into one of the Premier League’s most coveted centre-backs.

Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has confirmed that negotiations over Guehi’s departure are advanced enough that the 25-year-old will not be involved in the club’s next match, a clear indication that the transfer is close to completion. While Glasner stopped short of naming the buying club, multiple sources in England and across Europe have pointed to Manchester City as the leading contender for his signature.

Guehi’s contract with Palace runs out at the end of the current season, a situation that has triggered intense interest from both Premier League rivals and major European sides. With only six months remaining on his deal, he is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, and Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been monitoring his situation closely.

Manchester City’s move has been accelerated by defensive concerns of their own. The champions have been managing injuries and fitness issues in central defence, with Ruben Dias’ recent setback sharpening the need for reliable cover and competition at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s back line. City’s recruitment strategy in recent years has focused on defenders who are comfortable in possession, tactically intelligent and capable of operating in a high defensive line, and Guehi fits that profile almost perfectly.

Glasner, speaking ahead of Palace’s upcoming fixture, made it clear that the club is preparing for life without its captain. He described the deal as being in the final stages and confirmed that Guehi would be left out of the squad to avoid any risk of injury that could jeopardise the move. For Palace, it is a pragmatic decision, but one that underlines the scale of the change they are about to undergo.

Guehi’s importance to Palace cannot be overstated. Since arriving from Chelsea in 2021, he has developed into one of the most consistent defenders in the league, combining composure on the ball with strong positional sense and leadership qualities that belied his age. He quickly became a mainstay in the side and was handed the captain’s armband, a reflection of the respect he commands in the dressing room and his influence on the pitch.

His performances in south London also propelled him into the England setup. Guehi has been part of Gareth Southgate’s plans, featuring in competitive fixtures and friendlies, and positioning himself as a serious contender for a long-term role in the national team’s defence. A move to a club competing regularly in the Champions League would only strengthen his case for more regular international involvement.

This is not the first time Guehi has been close to a high-profile move. Last summer, Liverpool came close to signing him, with negotiations progressing deep into the transfer window. That deal collapsed on Deadline Day, leaving Palace with their captain still in place but with his contract situation unresolved. The failure to secure an extension has now left the club facing the prospect of losing a key asset for a reduced fee, rather than risking him walking away for nothing at the end of the season.

For Palace, the situation is a delicate balance between sporting ambition and financial reality. Allowing a player of Guehi’s calibre to run down his contract would be a significant blow from a business perspective. Cashing in now, while there is still time to reinvest and reshape the squad, is a more sustainable approach, even if it weakens the team in the short term. The club’s recruitment department has been preparing for this scenario, identifying potential replacements and considering how best to reorganise the defence without their captain.

From Guehi’s perspective, the timing of the move is close to ideal. At 25, he is entering what many consider to be a defender’s prime years. He has accumulated substantial Premier League experience, proven he can handle responsibility and pressure, and shown that he can adapt to different managers and systems. A step up to a club like Manchester City would offer him the chance to test himself at the highest level, both domestically and in Europe, while working under one of the most demanding and tactically sophisticated coaches in the game.

City, for their part, would be acquiring a player who not only strengthens their immediate options but also offers long-term value. With the club often competing on multiple fronts deep into the season, squad depth in central defence is crucial. Guehi’s ability to play in a back four or as part of a back three, and to operate on either side of central defence, makes him an attractive, flexible option. His comfort in building from the back aligns with City’s possession-based approach, and his experience in a Palace side that often defends under sustained pressure has honed his concentration and resilience.

The interest from Europe’s elite underlines how far Guehi’s reputation has grown. Bayern Munich have been reshaping their defence and are known to be tracking Premier League talent. Barcelona and Real Madrid, both in the midst of long-term squad transitions, have also been linked with the defender as they look to secure reliable options for the next generation. However, the financial muscle and immediate competitive prospects offered by Manchester City appear to have given the English champions a decisive edge.

For Palace supporters, the impending departure will be bittersweet. Guehi has been central to some of the club’s most stable seasons in recent memory, and his calm presence at the back has often been a reassuring constant amid managerial changes and fluctuating form. Losing a captain and defensive leader mid-season is never easy, but there is also an understanding that his performances have inevitably attracted attention from clubs operating at the very top of the game.

Attention will now turn to how Palace respond. The club has a track record of identifying and developing talent, and there will be pressure to reinvest wisely in the squad. Whether they opt for an experienced replacement or a younger defender with potential, the task of filling Guehi’s boots will be significant. Glasner will also need to decide on a new captain, someone capable of providing the same level of authority and calm that Guehi brought to the role.

As negotiations move towards completion, the sense is that this transfer represents a natural next step in Guehi’s career and a pivotal moment for Crystal Palace. For Manchester City, it could be another shrewd addition to a squad built to compete for every major honour. For Palace, it marks the end of a successful chapter with a player who arrived as a promising prospect and leaves as one of the most respected defenders in the league.