Chelsea hit ‘significant obstacle’ in pursuit of Marc Guehi as Enzo Maresca speaks out on transfer interest
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Enzo Maresca has admitted he ‘likes’ Marc Guehi but Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of their former player. Guehi has been the subject of much transfer interest thanks to his performances at Crystal Palace and starring role in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
![[Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca speaking at a press conference.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192573277.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Newcastle United attempted to sign the centre-back last summer but failed to meet Palace’s £70million valuation. The Eagles still insist a significant fee is needed for the player to move on, but given that Guehi’s contract is up in 18 months’ time, with no new deal in sight, sources say they could potentially accept a bid of £40m.
![[Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2190005400.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Chelsea have now entered the race to sign the defender, who came through the academy in Cobham and whom they sold to Palace for just £18m in 2021. The Blues are looking to improve their centre-back options and could make a move this January due to injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
‘The only thing I can say is Marc Guehi is a Palace player. I like Marc for sure but he is not our player,’ Chelsea head coach Maresca said on Friday. ‘But I like also the central defenders we have. I also like different types of central defenders in Italy, Spain and France but that doesn’t mean we are going to buy a player.
‘It is a normal situation I think when you have central defenders injured that the speculation is there. At the same time, there is nothing there.’. Buying back Guehi would be a brilliant transfer and Chelsea may have the upper-hand in negotiations as they can offer Trevoh Chalobah, currently on loan at Selhurst Park, in part-exchange.
