Chelsea are considering making a move for former Blue Marc Guehi this summer after it emerged that Wesley Fofana will be out for much of the next season.
The Blues initially only wanted four centre-backs due to the lack of European football on offer at Stamford Bridge this season, and Trevoh Chalobah is expected to leave, which will see them reach this number.
However, they were rocked by the news that Fofana has suffered a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury which is expected to see him miss much of the season and leave Thiago Silva as the only senior right-sided defender in the Blues camp.
3rd September 2022; Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, England: Premier League football, Chelsea versus West Ham: Wesley Fofana of Chelsea 2JW3R27 3rd September 2022; Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, England: Premier League football, Chelsea versus West Ham: Wesley Fofana of Chelsea (Alamy Stock Photo)
This has led to a change of transfer plans, and a centre-back has become a new target this summer alongside a central midfielder and a striker, while another goalkeeper is also expected to arrive.
With the whole spine of the side needing improvement, the Guardian report that while ‘they are yet to make a serious move for Guéhi’, they are interested in bringing the English centre-back back to Stamford Bridge.
Guehi, who came through the youth system in west London, moved to Crystal Palace for £18m and has impressed during his time in south London.
Attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham as well as his former side, he is thought to be set to cost £50m should he be sold this summer.
Chelsea could well be the first side to blink, with Arsenal having signed Jurrien Timber and Tottenham weighing up a move for Edmond Tapsoba.