Chelsea considering move for £70m-rated former player | OneFootball

Chelsea are considering an approach to re-sign former defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, reports claim, having seen him flourish since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2021.

Guehi joined Palace for £18m following 18 months on loan at Swansea City. He has become one of the Premier League's top centre-backs and enjoyed a starring role for England at Euro 2024.

Chelsea's desire to boost their defence this month appears driven by the latest injury setback suffered by Wesley Fofana, who has played only 32 times since a £75m transfer in 2022.

The Daily Mail writes that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is a "huge fan" of Guehi, with Palace aware that interest from the 24-year-old's former club exists. Ideally, the south London club want to keep Guehi and persuade him to sign a new contract beyond his current deal's end in 2026.

Palace were asking £70m for Guehi last summer when Newcastle United had multiple bids rejected, but it remains to be seen whether they could command that much again given he would be entering the last year of his contract next season.

Guehi has become a key England player / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

Chelsea have been tipped to offer Trevoh Chalobah, currently on loan at Selhurst Park, as part of a proposed move, although Palace are said to prefer a cash deal.

There are further complications given that Chelsea have a sell-on clause attached to Guehi, and it isn't quite known how that would actually work if it is Chelsea who are the buying club. It is also thought that with potential salary demands of £170,000-per-week, he may not fit into Chelsea's wage structure, which has changed considerably over the past couple of seasons.

Chelsea's desire for a centre-back has already seen the possibility of Chalobah being recalled from loan. The 25-year-old made 80 appearances during two and a half seasons as a first-team player, but it would be a major U-turn from the club after he was harshly frozen out last summer.