If you’ve spent the last 48 hours refreshing your feed, you already know the vibe. The Etihad is buzzing. Honestly, nobody expected the winter window to get this spicy, especially not for a club that usually likes to do its big shopping in the summer sun. But here we are. The transfer rumors Manchester City fans have been obsessing over just took a massive turn, and it's not just "talk" anymore.
It is happening.
Marc Guehi is basically a City player. As of today, January 16, 2026, the deal is in the "final stages," according to Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner. It’s one of those moves that feels like it came out of nowhere but makes total sense when you look at the medical room. City has been decimated at the back. When you lose Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol at the same time, you don't just "plug a gap." You go out and buy the best center-back available.
Why the Marc Guehi move changed everything
For months, the narrative was that Guehi was destined for Anfield. Liverpool had been circling him like sharks since the summer of 2025. But while everyone was looking at Merseyside, Txiki Begiristain and the City recruitment team were quietly drawing up a contract that reportedly exceeds $300,000 a week. That is a massive statement of intent.
The fee is the part that has people talking, though. Some sources are quoting £20 million because his contract was running down, while others say the total package with add-ons pushes it closer to £30 million or even £40 million.
Either way, it’s a steal for an England international in his prime.
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The injury crisis nobody talks about
It’s easy to say "City has infinite money," but this move was born out of pure necessity. Pep Guardiola is currently staring at a squad list that looks more like a hospital wing.
- Ruben Dias: Out.
- Josko Gvardiol: Out.
- John Stones: Perpetually on the treatment table.
Guardiola was uncharacteristically blunt this week. When asked about the Guehi situation, he gave the classic "nothing to say," but he followed it up by admitting the defensive situation is "difficult." Basically, he’s tired of playing a makeshift backline when the title race is this tight. Arsenal is currently six points ahead, and City cannot afford to drop another point because of a defensive lapse.
Beyond the defense: The £100m January splurge
If you thought Guehi was the end of it, think again. City is on track to spend over £100 million this month alone. They already dropped £62.5 million on Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the window.
Semenyo has been a revelation this season. Ten goals and three assists in 20 games? Those are elite numbers. He’s already talked about getting City back into the title race, and honestly, his directness is exactly what they’ve lacked since Savinho and Doku became the primary outlets.
But there's a flip side to all this incoming talent.
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Is the De Bruyne era actually over?
This is the one that hurts. It’s official: Kevin De Bruyne is leaving at the end of the season. He posted a statement on social media on Friday that felt like a punch to the gut for most fans. He’s been a bit-part player this year, and while he’s still got the vision, the legs aren't what they used to be.
There's talk of him heading to Inter Miami to join Messi or maybe Al-Nassr. He even mentioned that the club decided not to renew his contract, which came as a bit of a shock to him. It’s ruthless. But that’s how City operates. They don't keep players for sentiment. If you aren't at 100%, the machine moves on.
The weird rumors: Who else is on the radar?
While Guehi and Semenyo are the big ones, the transfer rumors Manchester City scouts are tracking go even deeper. You’ve got names like Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and even Real Madrid’s Rodrygo being whispered about.
Is Rodrygo realistic? Probably not this month. But with Real Madrid reportedly "hatching a plan" to snatch Erling Haaland in the summer, maybe there's a world where a swap or a deal involving Rodrygo happens. Haaland is signed up for a long time, but we all know those release clauses are a thing.
Then there’s the youth movement. Keep an eye on Sverre Nypan. He’s currently on loan at Middlesbrough, and while he hasn't played a full 90 minutes recently, the hype around him is real. City is also looking at Givairo Read from Feyenoord. They are obsessed with future-proofing this squad.
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The potential exit list for 2026
With new faces coming in, the door is being shown to others. Here is the current "at risk" list:
- Bernardo Silva: He’s 31 now. Benfica is always calling.
- Kyle Walker: Likely moving on this summer.
- Ederson: Heavy interest from Saudi Arabia continues to linger.
- James McAtee: Might need a permanent move to get the minutes he deserves.
What this means for your FPL and the title race
If you're looking for actionable insights from this chaos, look at the lineup. Once Guehi is registered—potentially as early as the Champions League game against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday—the backline stabilizes.
This makes City's clean-sheet potential skyrocket again.
Also, don't sleep on Semenyo. He's not just a backup; he’s a "Guardiola player" who can play anywhere across the front three. If you’re a betting person, City’s odds to close the gap on Arsenal just got a lot shorter.
The most important thing to watch is the Manchester Derby this weekend. Guardiola is going into it thin, but if the Guehi deal gets the "Here We Go" official confirmation before kickoff, the morale boost alone will be massive.
Next Steps for the Smart Fan
- Watch the medical reports: If Guehi is in Manchester by Sunday, he might not play the derby, but his presence in the stands changes the energy.
- Monitor the Haaland-Real Madrid links: Don't ignore the Spanish media; they usually start the drumbeat months before a summer move.
- Check the contract status of Rodri: He’s the most important player in the world right now, and a new deal for him is the next big piece of business after the window closes.
City isn't just buying players; they are rebuilding the engine while the car is still driving at 100mph. It’s risky, it’s expensive, and it’s why they’ve dominated for a decade.