Chelsea are interested in Marc Guehi after Wesley Fofana’s serious knee injury but will continue to weigh up their options during pre-season.
The 23-year-old left the west Londoners for Crystal Palace for £18million in 2021 but no buyback clause was included.
Palace now want £50m for the England international, who would want to be a regular starter at any club he joins this summer.
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It remains unclear whether Chelsea could offer such a role with Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah also on their books.
Mauricio Pochettino also hasn’t ruled out the signing of a central defender but the club haven’t fully decided how to broach the issue, amid fears Fofana could be out for the season.
Fofana has had surgery on an injury ACL and will be out for at least six months, with his rehabilitation to continue at Cobham as Chelsea conduct a pre-season tour of the United States.
Guehi, meanwhile, has long-term interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham having become one of England’s best central defenders.
Arsenal want to sign a defender this summer but will likely look at a cheaper, younger option to deputise for William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White.
Spurs want an outstanding option who is comfortable on the left-hand side but are currently in negotiations with Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven.
