Chelsea is exploring the possibility of re-signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to bolster their injury-hit defense. However, the move faces significant obstacles, as Palace has reportedly placed a £70 million price tag on the highly-rated center-back—a fee Chelsea is reluctant to pay at this stage.
Chelsea’s Defensive Woes
The Blues are dealing with a defensive crisis, with Wesley Fofana sidelined for the season and Benoît Badiashile also out due to injury. This has left Chelsea short of options at the back, making Guehi, a product of their academy, an appealing target. Since leaving Chelsea for Palace in 2021 for £18 million, Guehi has developed into one of the Premier League’s top defenders and has become a regular for the England national team.
Search
CROWNED STAR
CROWNED STAR
CHELSEAChelsea Eye Marc Guehi Return as Crystal Palace Stand Firm on £70m ValuationPublished 8 hours ago on January 11, 2025By Destiny Omodion
Chelsea is exploring the possibility of re-signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to bolster their injury-hit defense. However, the move faces significant obstacles, as Palace has reportedly placed a £70 million price tag on the highly-rated center-back—a fee Chelsea is reluctant to pay at this stage.
HBAgency
HBAgency
HBAgency
HBAgency
Chelsea’s Defensive Woes
The Blues are dealing with a defensive crisis, with Wesley Fofana sidelined for the season and Benoît Badiashile also out due to injury. This has left Chelsea short of options at the back, making Guehi, a product of their academy, an appealing target. Since leaving Chelsea for Palace in 2021 for £18 million, Guehi has developed into one of the Premier League’s top defenders and has become a regular for the England national team.
Challenges in Signing Guehi
Palace is in no rush to sell Guehi, who has 18 months remaining on his contract. They value him highly, especially given his importance to the team, which currently sits precariously in 15th place, just five points above the relegation zone. Palace is reportedly unwilling to let him go for less than their asking price, even as his value could drop if he does not renew his contract.
Chelsea has a 20% sell-on clause from Guehi’s initial transfer to Palace, which could complicate negotiations. The Blues also hold a first-refusal option, meaning they can match any offer Palace receives before a sale is finalized, potentially giving them an advantage if they decide to meet the valuation.
Search
CROWNED STAR
CROWNED STAR
CHELSEAChelsea Eye Marc Guehi Return as Crystal Palace Stand Firm on £70m ValuationPublished 8 hours ago on January 11, 2025By Destiny Omodion
Chelsea is exploring the possibility of re-signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to bolster their injury-hit defense. However, the move faces significant obstacles, as Palace has reportedly placed a £70 million price tag on the highly-rated center-back—a fee Chelsea is reluctant to pay at this stage.
HBAgency
HBAgency
HBAgency
HBAgency
HBAgency
Chelsea’s Defensive Woes
The Blues are dealing with a defensive crisis, with Wesley Fofana sidelined for the season and Benoît Badiashile also out due to injury. This has left Chelsea short of options at the back, making Guehi, a product of their academy, an appealing target. Since leaving Chelsea for Palace in 2021 for £18 million, Guehi has developed into one of the Premier League’s top defenders and has become a regular for the England national team.
Challenges in Signing Guehi
Palace is in no rush to sell Guehi, who has 18 months remaining on his contract. They value him highly, especially given his importance to the team, which currently sits precariously in 15th place, just five points above the relegation zone. Palace is reportedly unwilling to let him go for less than their asking price, even as his value could drop if he does not renew his contract.
Chelsea has a 20% sell-on clause from Guehi’s initial transfer to Palace, which could complicate negotiations. The Blues also hold a first-refusal option, meaning they can match any offer Palace receives before a sale is finalized, potentially giving them an advantage if they decide to meet the valuation.
Competition for Guehi
Newcastle United attempted to sign Guehi last summer but failed to agree on a fee. Liverpool is also monitoring the situation, viewing Guehi as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk should the Dutch defender depart in the near future.
Chalobah Recall Consideration
In addition to targeting Guehi, Chelsea is considering recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Palace to alleviate their defensive crisis. However, Palace may resist such a move, as Chalobah has been a vital part of their squad this season.
Chelsea’s Current Struggles
Chelsea’s form has been underwhelming, with recent Premier League setbacks, including draws against Everton and Fulham and a loss to Ipswich. A 1-1 draw against Palace further highlighted their struggles. Their upcoming FA Cup tie against League Two side Morecambe provides an opportunity to turn things around, but reinforcements in defense are clearly needed if they are to recover their form and compete effectively.
For now, Chelsea’s ability to secure Guehi will depend on their willingness to meet Palace’s high valuation and navigate the complexities of the deal amidst competition from other top clubs.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace has emerged as a key storyline in the January transfer window, as the club grapples with a defensive crisis. With injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile, Chelsea urgently needs reinforcements, and Guehi, a former academy product, is seen as an ideal solution.
### **Marc Guehi: A Top Target**
Since leaving Chelsea for Crystal Palace in 2021, Guehi has become one of the Premier League’s standout defenders, earning regular England call-ups. However, Palace’s valuation of £70 million presents a significant hurdle for the Blues, who are reluctant to pay such a steep fee at this stage.
### **Challenges in Securing Guehi**
Palace’s strong negotiating position stems from Guehi’s importance to their team, which is fighting to avoid relegation from 15th place. With 18 months left on his contract, Palace is unwilling to part with him for less than their asking price, even if his value could decline as his contract nears its end.
Chelsea’s 20% sell-on clause from Guehi’s original transfer to Palace complicates matters, as it may inflate the effective cost of reacquiring him. However, the club also retains a first-refusal option, allowing them to match any offers Palace receives, which could give them an edge in negotiations.
### **Competition for Guehi**
Chelsea is not the only club interested in Guehi. Newcastle United failed to sign him last summer, and Liverpool is monitoring his situation as a potential long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk. This competition could pressure Chelsea to act quickly if they are serious about bringing Guehi back.
### **Alternative Solutions**
If a deal for Guehi proves unattainable, Chelsea may explore other options:
1. **Trevoh Chalobah Recall:** Chelsea could recall Chalobah from his loan spell at Palace, though this would likely face resistance, given his importance to Palace’s defense this season.
2. **Other Targets:** The club may consider more affordable alternatives in the transfer market to address their immediate needs.
### **Chelsea’s Current Form**
Chelsea’s struggles this season, highlighted by recent disappointing results against Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich, have increased the urgency for reinforcements. A 1-1 draw against Palace underscored their defensive frailties. An upcoming FA Cup match against League Two side Morecambe offers a chance to regain confidence, but long-term success hinges on resolving their defensive issues.
### **Outlook**
Chelsea’s ability to secure Guehi will depend on their willingness to meet Palace’s demands or find creative solutions to lower the effective cost of the deal. With competition from other top clubs and limited time in the transfer window, the Blues must act decisively to stabilize their defense and salvage their season.
