Crystal Palace could turn to London rivals Chelsea in their bid to replace Marc Guehi.
Whether it is this summer or the next one, Guehi is destined to leave Selhurst Park in a major blow for Palace.
The central defender has entered the final year of his contract and is refusing to sign a new one. Guehi now wants to join Liverpool, though the Premier League champions are yet to agree a fee with Palace.
Still, Palace appear to be planning for life without the England international and have a perfect replacement in mind.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during FA Cup semi-final
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Crystal Palace want Trevoh Chalobah to replace Marc Guehi
Trevoh Chalobah spent the first half of last season out on loan at Palace before being recalled by Chelsea in January, and it looks as though he did enough to leave a really good impression on them.
According to CaughtOffside, the Eagles have now identified the 26-year-old as an “ideal” replacement for Guehi.
For now, though, Enzo Maresca will not want to see Chalobah go. The Chelsea manager has more than one centre-back currently out injured, including Levi Colwill, who is set to miss most of the season.
Colwill has sustained an ACL injury, leaving a gaping hole in Chelsea’s defence. Chelsea believe Jorrel Hato can fill in for Colwill, while Tosin Adarabioyo is also another option.
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However, Hato is still just 19 years of age and only joined the club at the start of the month, while Adarabioyo is also on the sidelines right now.
Chelsea's Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah during Conference League final
Photo by Mateusz Porzucek/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images
Trevoh Chalobah sale could see Chelsea sign Levi Colwill replacement
Whether Chalobah stays or not, Maresca wants a new centre-back. Maresca has been pleading for a defender, but those pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears.
If they do go on to sell Chalobah before the transfer window closes, though, it has been reported that Chelsea could decide to sign a centre-half.
The club’s centre-back situation is certainly something to keep an eye on between now and 1 September.
Chalobah has admirers in the game, with England manager Thomas Tuchel describing him as “consistent” back in May (via The Guardian). You can also include Palace on that list.