Chelsea prepare £50m deal with player swap to land top target | OneFootball

Chelsea Prepare Player-Plus-Cash Bid to Re-Sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace

Stamford Bridge Reunion on the Cards

Chelsea are intensifying efforts to re-sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a potential player-plus-cash deal worth £50 million, according to a report from TeamTalk. The 24-year-old, who emerged from Chelsea’s academy before joining Palace permanently in 2021, has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs—and a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

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In a bid to win the race for their former talent, Chelsea have proposed a package that includes £50 million plus Trevoh Chalobah, whom the club values at £30 million. The deal would effectively meet Palace’s reported £70 million asking price, with Chalobah being used as a makeweight to secure Guehi’s return to west London.

Chalobah In Line for Palace Switch

Chalobah, who previously spent time on loan at Palace before being recalled in January, could be on the move once more. His Chelsea future has been riddled with uncertainty in recent seasons, with multiple windows featuring potential exits.

“Chalobah will likely be frustrated at being on the move again this summer,” the report notes. “His future has been uncertain in recent years as Chelsea tried to sell him in numerous windows before he headed to Palace last summer.”

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Should the deal go through, Chalobah would aim to finally settle and become a regular starter under Oliver Glasner—a move that could benefit both player and club as Palace continue to reshape their squad.

Leadership and Familiarity in Chelsea’s Defensive Plans

Chelsea’s defensive rebuild is high on the agenda this summer. The club believe that Guehi—familiar with the culture and expectations at Cobham—would bring the sort of leadership and composure that has been missing in recent seasons.

“Chelsea desperately need leadership both in their backline and the squad as a whole, and that is what Guehi will bring,” the article states. There is also optimism around pairing him with Levi Colwill, potentially giving Chelsea a homegrown central defensive partnership for years to come.

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Fierce Competition from Premier League Rivals

Chelsea are not alone in their pursuit. Liverpool are considered the frontrunners for Guehi’s signature, while Tottenham remain serious admirers. Spurs previously saw a £70 million bid rejected in January, and Newcastle also explored a deal last summer.

However, Chelsea remain confident. “Chelsea believe Guehi will reject the advances of other clubs in order to secure a move back to Stamford Bridge.”

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With their interest in Dean Huijsen cooling, Guehi has become Chelsea’s “priority” target—one they are determined to land ahead of their rivals.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Marc Guehi isn’t just a top-tier Premier League defender; he’s a Cobham product, someone who understands the fabric of the club and is approaching his prime with the maturity of a seasoned leader.

Pairing him with Levi Colwill has the potential to solve Chelsea’s long-standing defensive imbalance. Both are comfortable in possession, tactically aware, and physically strong—modern centre-backs for a modern game. It’s the kind of partnership that could anchor a title-challenging side, given the right development and coaching continuity.

As for Chalobah, this might finally be the move that allows him to flourish. Palace offers Premier League football in a more stable system, and he could become central to their ambitions.

There’s always anxiety when Liverpool are in the mix, especially with their recent success in recruitment. But Chelsea have a genuine edge here—history, familiarity, and the vision of a homegrown core. If this deal goes through, it won’t just be a transfer. It’ll be a statement.