Chelsea hit ‘significant obstacle’ in pursuit of Marc Guehi as Enzo Maresca speaks out on transfer interest

Enzo Maresca has admitted he ‘likes’ Marc Guehi but Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of their former player.

Guehi has been the subject of much transfer interest thanks to his performances at Crystal Palace and starring role in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.

Newcastle United attempted to sign the centre-back last summer but failed to meet Palace’s £70million valuation.

The Eagles still insist a significant fee is needed for the player to move on, but given that Guehi’s contract is up in 18 months’ time, with no new deal in sight, sources say they could potentially accept a bid of £40m.

Chelsea have now entered the race to sign the defender, who came through the academy in Cobham and whom they sold to Palace for just £18m in 2021.

The Blues are looking to improve their centre-back options and could make a move this January due to injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

‘The only thing I can say is Marc Guehi is a Palace player. I like Marc for sure but he is not our player,’ Chelsea head coach Maresca said on Friday.

‘But I like also the central defenders we have. I also like different types of central defenders in Italy, Spain and France but that doesn’t mean we are going to buy a player.

‘It is a normal situation I think when you have central defenders injured that the speculation is there. At the same time, there is nothing there.’

Buying back Guehi would be a brilliant transfer and Chelsea may have the upper-hand in negotiations as they can offer Trevoh Chalobah, currently on loan at Selhurst Park, in part-exchange.

But while the South London side do admire Chalobah, The Athletic report that there is a ‘significant obstacle’ that could scupper a swap deal between the two English centre-backs.

Chalobah is said to be on wages far greater than the bulk of Palace’s squad which could prevent a permanent transfer to Selhurst Park.

Moreover, Guehi would want to be one of the highest-earners at Stamford Bridge given his status as a key player for the Three Lions, a potential issue given the strict wage structure Todd Boehly has implemented.

Additionally, Palace would want Chelsea to waive their right to the sell-on fee they would be entitled to if Guehi were sold, which would theoretically allow the Blues to get money back on their on purchase.

In any case, a January transfer seems unlikely for the 24-year-old but there have been rumours that Chelsea could recall Chalobah from his loan if their injury crisis deepens.

Given that Maresca wanted nothing to do with the 25-year-old last summer, that seems unlikely, but the Italian has ruled nothing out, adding: ‘Unfortunately I have to give you the same answer [as the Guehi question.

‘Trev is a good player but in this moment he is a Palace player, so we will see.’

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