Chelsea may have their work cut out if they want to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, but they do have a back-up option on their mind. Injury to Wesley Fofana has seen Enzo Maresca's side develop an interest in strengthening their backline, with the Blues without a win in their last four Premier League matches. And they have first looked towards former Cobham star Guehi, who departed Stamford Bridge for Selhurst Park in 2021.
The England international saw Palace turn down bids in the region of £70million from Newcastle in the summer, and still have hopes he will extend his stay in south London after entering the final 18 months of his contract. Reports suggest the Blues have already fallen short of the Eagles valuation.
"Their offer was a long way off being a fair price," a source told the Sun. "It was a silly really and they need to offer more to even have a hope of getting a deal done.". But Palace could find themselves short of a defender regardless. Chelsea hold an option to recall Trevoh Chalobah this month - and they are considering bringing him back to west London. The central defender moved on loan to the club in the summer after being told he had no future with the Blues and was training away from Maresca's senior squad.
It has been suggested the Blues could also use Chalobah as a potential makeweight in any deal for Guehi. But, Palace are said to prefer a cash deal should they eventually part ways with their captain. The deal is additionally complicated by Chelsea holding a sell-on clause for the player.
