Crystal Palace have now made an approach over a deal for an "amazing" defender, journalist Mike McGrath has revealed.
Crystal Palace set sights on Guehi replacement
Marc Guehi will forever be remembered for being the first captain to lead Palace to a major trophy, but with two Premier League clubs battling it out for his services, it is looking increasingly likely that the Englishman could be heading for the exit door sooner rather than later.
Newcastle United and Liverpool are keen on the defender, who could be available for around £60m, and the centre-back's departure could be a real blow for Oliver Glasner, considering he was among the Eagles' most consistent performers in the Premier League last season.
Crystal Palace's best performers 24/25 Average rating (WhoScored)
Daniel Munoz 7.11
Eberechi Eze 7.09
Trevoh Chalobah 6.92
Maxence Lacroix 6.88
Marc Guehi 6.81
Amid doubts over Guehi's future, the Eagles have started identifying potential replacements, and Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande has emerged as a major target, having tabled a bid for the Ivorian.
However, in a report for The Telegraph, McGrath has revealed there is another option from much closer to home, with Crystal Palace submitting an enquiry over a potential loan deal for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong.
Palace have a history of doing deals with their London rivals, and Acheampong is now of interest, although only on a loan deal, with the reported asking price of £35m perhaps deemed to be too high.
Paris St Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the victory celebration Related
Crystal Palace could make swift move for defender who pocketed Kvaratskhelia
The Eagles are very interested in signing a full-back, and could make an approach in the very near future.
Only one loan is allowed from a Premier League rival, and the defender has been identified as the perfect addition to Glasner's squad, given that he is versatile, with the defender comfortable playing at both centre-back and right-back.
"Amazing" Acheampong could be fantastic signing for Crystal Palace
The 19-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but he is clearly very highly-rated in west London, having been praised by Enzo Maresca after impressing in the Europa Conference League last season.
Maresca said: "The one that I fell in love with [tonight] is Josh Acheampong, because potentially he can be a fantastic player for this club, and for football in general".
Teammate Tosin Adarabioyo has been left similarly impressed by his fellow defender, saying: "Josh has absolutely everything to be a top, top defender. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s amazing on the ball, and he has a lot of confidence which I love to see in a young defender."
josh-acheampong-chelsea (2)
The teenager is still inexperienced at first-team level, having made just 14 appearances for Chelsea, but he is clearly very talented, and Palace have a good history of signing young defenders on loan from their London rivals.
Chalobah impressed Glasner during his brief spell with the Eagles last season, prior to being recalled, and the manager will be hoping that Acheampong can have a similar impact at Selhurst Park, should the Blues be open to a loan deal.