With the rumours coming thick and fast over Marc Guehi's Selhurst Park future, Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention towards a Champions League level defender who could replace their star man.
Crystal Palace transfer news
Whilst they may be back to their best under Oliver Glasner, that price could yet come at a cost when the summer transfer window arrives and their star men become the subject of serious interest.
The likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Guehi have already found their names in the headlines amid reported interest from the Premier League's best clubs and that interest only looks likely to increase in the coming months.
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Having rediscovered his golden touch in front of goal, Mateta has reportedly emerged as a potential target for Manchester United this summer as they look to end their striker woes once and for all. Whether the Frenchman swaps Selhurst Park for Old Trafford remains to be seen, however, especially given the bottom half place the Red Devils currently find themselves in.
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What's more, Guehi's form also hasn't gone unnoticed. After Newcastle United were priced out of a move last summer, it's Chelsea who are reportedly interested this time around and they're unlikely to face the same money problem.
The Blues' interest is certainly a concern for those in South London, who are seemingly planning for the worst. According to The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now plotting a summer move to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers from Celtic.
The 27-year-old has attracted the attention of the Eagles alongside Aston Villa and Everton following another excellent campaign in Scotland almost three years on from leaving Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis.
A player who very nearly helped Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League with a heroic performance only undone by a late Bayern Munich goal, Carter-Vickers should be high up on Palace's list of candidates to replace Guehi this summer.
"Aggressive" Carter-Vickers can replace Guehi
Replacing Guehi, whether it's this summer or in years to come, will be no easy task for Crystal Palace. In Carter-Vickers, however, they could welcome an ideal candidate to do exactly that. The defender is at the peak of his powers at 27 years old and ready to step back into England's top flight to finally make his mark.
Earning praise from Brendan Rodgers for how he bounced back from an own goal against Club Brugge earlier this season, Carter-Vickers could now get the chance to bounce back from Spurs failure all those years ago courtesy of Crystal Palace.
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The Celtic boss told reporters: "he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy, he picked himself up. He was really strong and aggressive again in the game and got on with it and had a real bravery in the second half, because he was the one carrying the ball forward for us to start the attack.”
With the summer approaching, the American could be one to watch if Premier League and Crystal Palace, in particular, come calling in pursuit of replacing Guehi, who could commence a transfer merry-go-round in the coming months.