Chelsea step up pursuit of defender following top-four finish | OneFootball

Chelsea prepare £70m move for Guehi after securing Champions League return

Guehi on Chelsea radar as Stamford Bridge rebuild gathers pace

Marc Guehi’s name echoes with growing clarity around Stamford Bridge once again. Three years after the centre-back departed for Crystal Palace, Chelsea are set to bring him back – older, stronger, and Premier League-hardened. According to Football Insider, the club are now ready to accelerate their pursuit of the England international following confirmation of their return to Champions League football.

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It is no secret that Chelsea’s defensive unit is in transition. While Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile represent promise, the likely departure of Trevoh Chalobah means experience is required. And in Guehi, Chelsea see a composed, versatile leader who knows the club’s DNA and now carries the weight of top-level experience with both Palace and the England national side.

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Price tag reflects progress and pedigree

The reported £70 million fee is a significant leap from the £18 million Palace paid for him in 2021. But few in South London would question Guehi’s value. He captained Palace to an historic FA Cup win this season, the first major trophy in the club’s history, and was a linchpin in a defence that often had to do more than its fair share of work.

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Palace, understandably, are reluctant sellers. Guehi’s contract runs until 2026, placing them in a strong negotiating position. However, the sense is that the 24-year-old feels ready for a fresh challenge and wants to test himself on the European stage.

Rival interest adds urgency to Chelsea plans

Chelsea will not be alone in the race. Manchester United, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have all expressed interest, with the Magpies reportedly seeing a £65 million bid rejected in January. United’s hopes may be dashed by their absence from the Champions League, a factor Chelsea will be keen to exploit.

Italian giants Inter Milan are also monitoring Guehi’s situation closely, although no formal bid has materialised. With Chelsea aiming to secure deals early this summer, a swift move for Guehi would not only strengthen the squad but send a statement about their intentions under new leadership.

Options remain open as summer window nears

Guehi is not the only name on Chelsea’s shortlist. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is also under consideration, though the 21-year-old could command a similarly steep price tag. What is clear, however, is that Chelsea are placing a premium on proven Premier League performers – and in Guehi, they may see the balance of familiarity and ambition they need.

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Marc Guehi is not just a talented defender – he’s one of Chelsea’s own. Seeing him return to Stamford Bridge after proving himself elsewhere, lifting the FA Cup with Palace, and becoming an England regular, feels like a full-circle moment.

It’s not often you get to re-sign a player who has grown into exactly what your squad needs. Calm under pressure, comfortable on the ball, vocal in organising – Guehi fits the modern profile and the Chelsea tradition of defenders who lead.

Yes, £70 million is a lot, but they’ve spent more for far less. There’s a leadership void at the back. Guehi fills that. He understands the club, won’t need six months to adapt, and is entering his prime. That’s worth investing in.