- Chelsea are exploring a return to Stamford Bridge for defender Marc Guehi
- Palace are aware of Chelsea’s interest following the injury to Wesley Fofana
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Chelsea are exploring a return to Stamford Bridge for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Mail Sport has learned that machinations over a potential swoop this month have taken place with the Selhurst Park club aware of Chelsea’s interest following the injury to Wesley Fofana.
The Blues are ready to bring in a new central defender – with one option considered being recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Palace.
But Palace are also open to entering the transfer market, with Guehi among the names towards the top of their list.
A move would be complicated given Palace’s desire to keep Guehi at the club, and in the best case scenario persuade him to sign a new deal.
However, given England international Guehi has just 18 months left on his contract, Palace’s grip over their central defender’s future is weakened.
Chelsea are exploring a return to Stamford Bridge for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi
Mail Sport has learned that machinations over a potential swoop this month have taken place with the Selhurst Park club aware of Chelsea’s interest following the injury to Wesley Fofana
The Blues are ready to bring in a new central defender – with one option considered being recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Palace
Enzo Maresca is a huge fan of Guehi, who was excellent against Chelsea in the 1-1 draw between the two clubs on Saturday.
Palace valued Guehi at around £70million in the summer, but that asking price may have dropped given he can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in less than a year.
Coincidentally, Chelsea could use Chalobah as a makeweight in any deal for Guehi. However, Mail Sport understands Palace would prefer a straight cash agreement for their centre-back.
Any move to Stamford Bridge for Guehi would also be complicated by the fact that Chelsea have a sell on clause of between 17- 20 percent after selling the 24 year old to Palace in 2021.
It is unclear how that clause would be activated if Chelsea are the buying club.
Chelsea would also need to consider whether a move for Guehi would fit into their wage structure, with their American owners moving away from paying big remuneration packages.
It is likely Guehi would command a salary of around £170,000-per-week.
Chelsea are not ruling out recalling Chalobah instead of dipping into the transfer market.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca initially estimated Fofana would be sidelined for ‘at least three, four, five weeks’ before stating it would be for the rest of the season
However, Fofana has dismissed claims he will be out of action for the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during Chelsea ‘s 3-0 win over Aston Villa in December
The versatile defender joined the Selhurst Park club on a temporary basis in the summer window and has played an integral role in Oliver Glasner’s team so far.
Chelsea, however, do have a recall option as part of their agreement with Palace and it is understood the Blues are considering whether to exercise the clause in the wake of Fofana’s injury.
France international Fofana will miss an extended period through injury, with head coach Enzo Maresca even suggesting he could miss the entire season.
Palace are believed to be aware of the fact Chelsea are weighing up whether to bring Chalobah back across London, with the Eagles understood to be relaxed by the possibility.
Chalobah, for his part, is said to be keeping an open mind about the possibility of returning to Stamford Bridge – despite the fact he was effectively forced out of the club in the summer.
The defender was told he had no future at Chelsea in the summer and was told to train away from the senior set-up, so the prospect of recalling him would provide quite a twist.