Chelsea are now allegedly out of the running to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen this summer.
Chelsea have an “excellent relationship” with Huijsen’s people and were being heavily linked with the 19-year-old.
However, it looks like he will be heading elsewhere when the transfer window opens amid interest from other clubs.
Chelsea, though, have other options and have reportedly made another target their priority now.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Marc Guehi now Chelsea’s priority
It was journalist Eduardo Burgos who claimed on Tuesday that Chelsea are out of the running to sign Huijsen.
And according to Burgos, the Blues have now made bringing in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi their priority.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Guehi is ready to ask for a transfer this summer in a boost to Chelsea.
A move to Chelsea would see Guehi return to his former club, with the Blues selling him to Palace in 2021.
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Since then, Guehi has gone on to become one of the leading central defenders in the country, hence Chelsea’s interest in him.
Chelsea will not get a free run at their academy product, though. Liverpool are thought to be keen on Guehi as well, while Tottenham Hotspur made a bid for the 24-year-old in the last transfer window.
The Reds could lose Virgil van Dijk at the end of the season when his contract expires so could find themselves in desperate need of a new centre-half like Guehi.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
What one former Chelsea target has said about Marc Guehi
Guehi has his admirers in English football, including Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, a player Chelsea actually tried to sign in 2022.
When speaking about his England teammate after one Euro 2024 game, Gordon told talkSPORT: “He’s top, he’s such a good player and I was glad the nation got to see him shine on that stage because he’s such a lovely guy and he deserves what’s coming to him.
“I thought he was unbelievable in that game [vs Serbia] considering his height compared to the strikers they had on. He won every header, he was aggressive, intercepting loads and his main strength is composure on the ball, he’s like a midfielder.”
Newcastle are another club who have shown interest in Guehi, but hopefully the centre-back makes a return to Chelsea this summer, especially if Huijsen really is off the table now.
Enzo Maresca is not short of centre-half options, but Guehi’s quality and leadership could go a long way for the Blues.