Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City was almost delayed by a dramatic twist before it even began, as the Crystal Palace defender experienced an eventful journey north to complete his transfer.
The England international travelled to Manchester on Sunday morning, but his private jet was forced to abandon its initial landing attempt at Manchester Airport. With the aircraft already close to the ground, an unexpected obstruction on the runway meant the pilot had to pull away and circle the city before making a safe touchdown shortly afterwards. Guehi then continued into Manchester to finalise his £20 million switch to Pep Guardiola’s side.
The 24 year old had entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and was close to joining Liverpool last summer before that deal collapsed late on. This time, Crystal Palace opted to cash in rather than risk losing their captain for nothing at the end of the campaign.
However, the timing of the transfer has caused major frustration for Palace manager Oliver Glasner. He revealed that he was only informed of the sale on the morning before his team travelled to face Sunderland, despite negotiations having taken place over several days.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Glasner said he was stunned by the situation, questioning how any club could sanction the sale of their captain on the eve of a match during a difficult run of form and with limited players available. He admitted the squad had no choice but to deal with the decision, but made it clear his anger was directed at the process.
The fallout has also raised fresh doubts over Glasner’s own future at the club. He has already confirmed he plans to leave at the end of the season, and his outspoken comments following the Sunderland game have intensified speculation that his position could now be under threat.
For Manchester City, Guehi’s arrival comes at a crucial time. Guardiola’s side were beaten 2 0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday and have been stretched defensively by injuries to John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. In recent matches, City have been forced to rely on inexperienced options such as Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne.
Guardiola admitted his team were second best in the derby, conceding they lacked the energy and intensity required on the day. He explained that City have undergone significant changes in the past year and that dips in performance are sometimes unavoidable, even though the overall spirit within the squad remains strong.
Guehi is expected to provide an immediate lift to City’s back line as they look to stabilise their season and push on in the second half of the campaign.