Pep Guardiola gives Marc Guehi to Man City transfer update

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Marc Guehi's move from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window

Pep Guardiola said that he believed Marc Guehi was 'close' to joining Manchester City but has not had confirmation from his bosses. Hugo Viana and Ferran Soriano were at Old Trafford for the 2-0 derby defeat and are apparently yet to tell the manager that a deal is done for the Crystal Palace defender.

City expect the £20m transfer to be completed in the coming days, with Guehi not travelling with his Palace teammates for their Premier League game at Sunderland at the weekend. The 25-year-old is not eligible to play for City in the Champions League first phase, so does not need to be rushed into the squad in time for the game against Bodo Glimt on Tuesday, meaning his debut could be against Wolves on Saturday.

"I don't know yet officially from my club," said Guardiola. "When I think you will know it, I will know when they tell me. Apparently it's close, but I spoke now with Ferran and Hugo and they didn't tell me anything about it."

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Guardiola was forced into a defensive change at half-time at Old Trafford with the plan not working for City. With John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all out injured, Max Alleyne was replaced by Nico O'Reilly at the break in what was a tough afternoon for the 20-year-old who had played so well in his first three games for the club.

City will hope Alleyne is better for the experience of his first Manchester derby and he will be needed for the second half of the season regardless of Guehi arriving. Guardiola was willing to write off Saturday as a bad day at the office and has not forgotten the performances that came before it.

"Ruben and Josko were out but Max has been top the last two games that he played," he said.. "Of course, today the first few actions losing that...they have to live that experience and be better. But the games against Newcastle for example he has been extraordinary. Many players come here for the first time with a Man City shirt and we need those kind of things to grow."