Chelsea could end up making millions from a Liverpool transfer deal this summer if Arne Slot's side opts to move forward with interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Bayer Leverkusen is closing in on a deal for Jarell Quansah and Guehi, the England international defender who turns 25 later this summer, has been put forward as a possible option for the Reds. Last summer, Newcastle United saw four bids rejected for the player, who was then valued at $93 million (£70 million).
A year on, though, Guehi only has one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park. A deal might therefore be struck at a more realistic price point, with the Crystal Palace captain coming with the advantage of being homegrown.
According to The Times, Liverpool holds an interest in Guehi and he might be valued somewhere in the region of $54 million (£40 million). But Chelsea would be due a cut of that fee.
It has been reported in various places, including Goal, that Chelsea has a 20 per cent sell-on clause in place should Guehi move. It also has the chance to match any bid made for the center-back should it wish to enter the race.
If Guehi was to move for $54 million (£40 million), Chelsea would therefore be due $10.8 million (£8.0 million). The Stamford Bridge side is not short of options in that position with seven center-backs at the Club World Cup with Enzo Maresca's team and Wesley Fofana recovering from an injury.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace with the FA Cup.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace with the FA Cup. (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted that he was unsure whether Guehi would remain at the club beyond the summer. Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande has been linked as a possible replacement.
"We haven’t just started talking about his contract," Glasner said in April. "The talks were going on even before I arrived — for more than two years now. Marc is thinking what is best for his personal career and this is what we have to accept.
"I don’t know [if he will sign a new deal]. I don’t think about what happens in summer. On the 26th of May, I will turn my phone off for one or two weeks and then we will see what happens.
"Everybody knows he is a great footballer and great character. Let’s see what happens. But, of course, no manager would want to lose their captain.
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"It will be Marc’s decision, but I know that he is so focused on improving his game and our game. It has no influence on his performances."
Since then, Crystal Palace has won the FA Cup and therefore qualified for the Europa League. Guehi, though, is already an established part of the England set-up and could be ready to take the next step in his club career.
Liverpool.com says: Guehi is a solid option with Premier League experience, whose best years should be ahead of him. He would arrive at Anfield facing a fight for a spot in the team, however, given Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have the first-choice spots locked down. For that reason, he would have a decision to make in a World Cup year.