Man City increase interest in Palace captain Guehi

Manchester City are emerging as contenders to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this month.

BBC Sport understands City are exploring a move for the England centre-back in the wake of defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias suffering injuries in the draw against Chelsea on Sunday.

England centre-back John Stones is also currently out injured.

City will wait to discover the full extent of the Gvardiol and Dias injuries before making a final decision on whether to proceed with their interest in Guehi during the current transfer window.

But sources have told BBC Sport that City's interest in Guehi has progressed and that a move in January should not be discounted.

The 25-year-old is out of contract this summer and has been expected to leave Selhurst Park as a free agent at the end of the season.

However, the recent increase in City's interest could now change the course of Guehi's future.

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are among the European clubs to have shown an interest in signing the defender on a free transfer.

Market regulations mean Guehi can sign a pre-agreement with an overseas club from this month.

Guehi came close to joining Liverpool for a fee of £35million last summer, but Palace pulled the plug on the deal during the final hours of deadline day.

The Anfield club remain heavily interested in Guehi and it now remains to be seen if they are prepared to bring their plans to sign the player on a free transfer this summer.

City and Liverpool are both interested in taking Guehi on a free transfer at the end of the season.

It is understood Palace would consider selling Guehi this month to avoid the scenario of losing their captain for nothing come the end of the season.