Chelsea ‘Move Closer’ to Hijacking Liverpool’s Move for £35m Star – Report

Chelsea are moving closer to joining the race for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, according to a detailed report from Football Insider. With his contract situation pointing towards a free transfer next summer, the England international is fast becoming one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe.

Marc Guehi’s journey has been one of patience, maturity and steady development. Having left Stamford Bridge for £18 million in 2021, he has since blossomed at Crystal Palace, where he not only cemented himself as a defensive mainstay but also rose to the role of captain. His consistent performances have made him a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

After Liverpool’s £35m deadline day move for the 25-year-old collapsed, the door has been left wide open. Football Insider note that “he is expected to be available on a free transfer next summer, placing some of Europe’s biggest clubs on alert.” This development has only intensified the battle for his signature.

Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has shed light on Chelsea’s intent. Speaking to Football Insider, he explained: “Chelsea are the latest team I’ve heard are looking to make a move because he came through their academy so that could be a bit of an advantage to them.”

Brown also stressed the level of competition: “So now we’ve got all of these clubs interested in him and planning to make offers to him when he becomes available on a free, and that’s not a shock to anybody. He’s England’s first-choice centre-back and has years of experience in the Premier League, so he would improve whichever side end up getting him.”

Clubs of the stature of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs. It sets up one of the most intriguing transfer races of 2025.

Enzo Maresca has been pragmatic in his first few months as Chelsea head coach. Despite Levi Colwill’s long-term injury, Chelsea refrained from pushing for Guehi during the summer. Instead, the Italian coach relied on Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.

Yet priorities have shifted. Guehi’s emergence as a potential free agent represents a market opportunity too valuable to ignore. Mick Brown underlined this by stating: “It’s a huge bargain if you can get a player of Guehi’s quality on a free transfer… he would be an upgrade on the options they’ve got there at the moment.”

Ezri Konsa once called Guehi “world-class”, and Maresca appears to share that view. With Chelsea needing stability at the back, a reunion with their former academy graduate could offer both quality and sentiment.

Palace’s resolve to keep their captain until next summer means the stage is set for an open contest. “The manager wants to improve his defensive options, so of course Guehi is going to be an option, but I expect they’ll have to wait until the end of the season rather than doing it in January,” Brown added.

For Chelsea, it represents a chance to secure a proven Premier League leader, one who knows the club intimately. The free transfer factor only heightens the intrigue, with Guehi poised to be one of the most in-demand players in next summer’s market.

From a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, this feels like an opportunity that should not be missed. Enzo Maresca has already demonstrated a willingness to reshape the squad with discipline and clarity, and securing Marc Guehi would fit perfectly with his long-term project.

Guehi represents more than a defensive signing. He is a player developed in the Cobham academy, and bringing him back would reinforce Chelsea’s commitment to re-establishing an identity rooted in homegrown quality. Fans have long admired his rise at Palace, and the prospect of seeing him in blue again, this time as an established international, is exciting.

Supporters will also take confidence from Guehi’s reputation as a leader. With Thiago Silva’s future uncertain and questions still surrounding the durability of Levi Colwill, Guehi could anchor the backline for years to come. Having already captained Crystal Palace in the Premier League, his leadership would be invaluable at Stamford Bridge.

Of course, competition is fierce. Liverpool under Arne Slot are rebuilding, and Manchester City rarely lose a transfer battle. Add Real Madrid and Bayern Munich into the equation, and Chelsea will need to move swiftly and decisively. However, with Guehi’s ties to Cobham and a manager openly keen to strengthen his defensive core, there is genuine reason for optimism.

If Chelsea can pull this deal off, it would feel like a statement of intent under Maresca, and fans will see it as the type of signing that signals the club is building not only for the present but for a sustained future.