SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace passes the ball under pressure from Armando Broja of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on April 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Chelsea have not shied away from spending money on high-quality players from within England or overseas in recent years, irrespective of whether they have been under Todd Boehly’s ownership, or previously under that of Roman Abramovich.
This year, they enjoyed a particularly successful time in the transfer window and in spite of facing issues with signings, sales and finances amongst others, it is fair to say that Enzo Maresca has a better squad at his disposal than this predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino.
Yet, that has not meant that the club is not focusing on business for 2025 with Graeme Bailey exclusively reporting that the Blues are interested in signing Marc Guehi next summer. It was anticipated that the central defender would leave Selhurst Park this summer but even though a £70 million bid came in from Newcastle United, Palace decided to retain his services for another year.
In 2025, however, Palace would be forced to sell Guehi if they are unable to renew his contract beyond 2026 – a prospect that has been deemed unlikely for now – and Chelsea, for whose academy the Englishman formerly played, are pondering over his transfer.
Given that Guehi will be in the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, Chelsea could be presented with the opportunity to sign him for a lower fee than the £70 million Newcastle were ready to pay this year, but interest from other parties could yet drive his price up. The Magpies are expected to be in the equation once again in the summer of 2025 as are Liverpool and Manchester City.
With Guehi unlikely to face the problem of choice, it remains to be seen if indeed he is preferential towards a return to Chelsea or is more inclined towards joining a side with more winning pedigree than that of the Blues, like City or Liverpool.
Nonetheless, he would be a terrific acquisition for the west Londoners and prove to be a significant upgrade over their existing options, which anyway contain some fine young defenders, like Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill.
Chelsea are sure to be in the race for Guehi and will not be fazed by any competition or bidding war, so it will ultimately come down to which side can offer him the best sporting project and wage. The Blues will surely be among the favourites for him.
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