Chelsea are reportedly determined to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window and beat Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
Guehi was the subject of a failed bid from Spurs in the January window thought to be in the region of £70m, and they are expected to demand a similar fee at the end of the season.
The England international has also previously attracted interest from Newcastle United, and with 18 months left on his Palace contract, it would be surprising if suitors did not return for his signature in the summer.
Given Chelsea were forced to recall Trevor Chalobah from his loan deal at Selhurst Park, signing a centre-back would make sense, while Spurs must address their defensive issues if they are to compete for silverware in the coming seasons.
The Mirror claims that Chelsea are planning to sign Guehi in the summer transfer window and hope to finally pry him away from Palace, usurping Spurs in the process.
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Should Guehi sign for Chelsea?
Chelsea are in desperate need of defensive reinforcement given they have struggled to keep opponents at bay all season, with the club having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games.
The Londoners have also conceded eight goals in their four most recent outings, and their record of 34 goals conceded in the league is the second worst in the top eight.
Guehi has often played on the left side of a back three this season under Oliver Glasner, but he would be more likely to play as a right-sided centre-back under Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca given Levi Colwill plays on the left for the Blues.
However, his ability to reliably win his ground duels (67%) would undoubtedly provide Maresca with extra defensive solidity in the backline regardless of his position.
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Should Guehi sign for Tottenham?
Tottenham's defence has been routinely exposed in the Premier League, with the team having conceded at least two goals in six of their past nine Premier League games.
Ange Postecoglou could point to the fact he has rarely been able to select first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as a mitigating factor for his side's defensive frailty.
Considering the duo have been plagued by injuries at the club, Guehi would likely be afforded with regular playing time.
The Englishman is adept at bringing the ball out from the back and would fit seamlessly into Postecoglou's system, though the Spurs boss would have to leave out one of Guehi, Romero or Van de Ven from his starting lineup when all three are fit.
Lewis Nolan
