Chelsea ‘admit defeat’ in pursuit of centre-back target | OneFootball

Chelsea have admitted defeat in the club’s pursuit of Dean Huijsen with the Bournemouth defender’s preference a move to Spain.

Huijsen is a transfer target for several top clubs after an outstanding debut season in the Premier League. The 19-year-old has impressed in a Bournemouth side pushing for a place in Europe and was recognised with a Spain debut during this month’s international break.

Chelsea had made the teenager a top target for the summer, while Manchester United and Liverpool are also interested in Huijsen. The player has a release clause of around £50m in his contract that will be active this summer.

However, journalist Eduardo Burgos has claimed that Chelsea have pulled out of the race. The Blues are aware of interest from Real Madrid in Huijsen and the defender’s desire for a move to the Bernabeu. Enzo Maresca’s team do not want to waste time in pursuit of a player who has indicated that a transfer to Real Madrid is his preference.

Chelsea will now turn their attention to Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Palace rejected an approach for the 24-year-old in January, but Guehi will have just a year to run on his deal with the Eagles this summer.

Guehi came through the academy ranks at Chelsea before being sold to Palace in an £18m deal in 2021. He’s since established himself as a regular with England and has attracted rival interest from Newcastle, Spurs and Liverpool.

Palace value the player at around £70m, though Chelsea could opt to include Trevoh Chalobah as part of the package. Chalobah impressed on loan at Selhurst Park earlier this season before being recalled by Chelsea in the January window.

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