Chelsea eye £70m reunion with Marc Guehi to bolster defense

Chelsea are reportedly plotting a sensational move to re-sign Ivorian-born English defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace as concerns mount over their defensive depth.

With Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile struggling to settle since their Monaco arrivals, manager Enzo Maresca is keen to add a proven Premier League performer to his backline.

Guehi, a Chelsea academy graduate, has been a standout for Palace since joining in 2021. Marc Guehi joined Chelsea’s academy at age eight, developing through their youth ranks before debuting in 2019. After a stellar loan spell at Swansea City, he joined Crystal Palace.

His leadership and composure have earned him plaudits, with his current deal set to expire in 2026. However, Palace is bracing for his potential departure in 2025, as Guehi shows no signs of renewing his contract.

Valued at a hefty €84 million (£70m), the 23-year-old would represent a significant investment for the Blues, who sold him for just £18 million. With Guehi’s consistent performances and experience in top-flight football, Chelsea sees him as the ideal candidate to shore up their defensive woes.