Chelsea might earn a significant victory over Liverpool and Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea might block Liverpool from considering a potential deal for Marc Guehi in the summer (Image: Getty)

Chelsea can scupper Liverpool’s alleged interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi with a provision to match any bid for the England international. It is claimed that the Reds are considering a potential summer deal for Guehi ahead of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool will likely invest in defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2024–25 season. Joel Matip’s injury problems have kept him out for most of the campaign, and he has a contract that expires in the summer. Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk will be 33 before the start of the next campaign.

Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate are Liverpool’s only other senior centre-back alternatives, and the bulk of Gomez’s minutes have come in the full-back positions this season. The rise of Jarell Quansah, 20, is unlikely to prevent a new defender from being signed by Liverpool in the summer.

Guehi has shone since his move from Chelsea to Palace in the summer of 2021. The 23-year-old has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most promising defenders and has pushed his way into the England set-up ahead of Euro 2024.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Liverpool want to sign Guehi in the summer as part of their defensive overhaul. Manchester United are also allegedly following the Palace star’s predicament.

Chelsea might hijack any trade, though, due to a clause written into Guehi’s contract when he signed for the South Londoners over three years ago. The Blues will be alerted if an offer is ever made for Guehi, allowing them to match the offering.

They do not have a buy-back arrangement, as they have with several other players, but will also receive a share of any number Palace receives for Guehi in the future. The deal that moved the former Swansea loanee to Selhurst Park is estimated to have been in the region of £18 million.