Chelsea are closing in on Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato, but he may not be the only defender they sign before the end of the transfer window.
On Tuesday, The Chelsea Chronicle was told that Hato to Chelsea was a done deal, with the 19-year-old coming in to provide cover for Marc Cucurella.
The Blues are also interested in his Netherlands teammate Xavi Simons, though they are yet to agree a transfer fee with RB Leipzig.
Once Chelsea do — if the Club World Cup winners do — they could then turn their attention to signing a central defender.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty ImagesCrystal Palace want £40m for Marc Guehi
Earlier this month, it was claimed that Chelsea had made contact with Marc Guehi’s agents over a potential move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
BBC Sport has also reported on the Blues’ interest in the Crystal Palace star. And according to the same outlet, they may be able to sign him for just £40m.
Guehi is one of the Eagles’ most important players, but he has now entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
It means Palace are now at risk of losing the 25-year-old for nothing next summer, explaining why they could now sell him for only a £40m fee.
In the January transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur reportedly had a £70m bid for Guehi rejected.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty ImagesWho else is interested in Marc Guehi?
If Chelsea do decide to make a bid for Guehi, they could face competition from some of their Premier League rivals.
BBC Sport’s report states that since the end of last season, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle United have also registered interest in signing the England international.
It is no surprise, as Guehi is one of the best centre-halves in the English top flight and proved that in the 2024/25 campaign.
Marc Guehi’s 2024/25 statsTotalAppearances34Goals3Assists2Tackles61Interceptions28Blocks23Duels won168Aerial duels won69Via Premier League’s official website
If Chelsea do not go on to sign Guehi, Enzo Maresca can still be satisfied with the current centre-back options he possesses.
The Chelsea manager is able to call upon the likes of Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, for example.