Chelsea 'want' to sign Crystal Palace academy star who has 'rejected' contract extension at Selhurst Park

Chelsea have been linked with a new Crystal Palace player after already expressing their interest in Eagles defender Marc Guehi, who was subject to a transfer bid from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window.

Enzo Maresca is keen to add reinforcements in the summer in defence, as he hopes that his side will be in the Champions League next season.

They are currently sixth in the Premier League table, one point off the Champions League places, after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Brighton last time out. However, as well as improving in defence, Maresca is also keen to add talent on the wing, also from Crystal Palace.

Chelsea want Palace youngster Jesse Derry

According to new reports, alongside Guehi, Chelsea want to sign another Palace player in the summer in the form of winger Jesse Derry, who is yet to make his debut for the Palace senior team.

The 17-year-old can play both on the left or right-hand side of the pitch and has impressed for the Eagles U18s this season. He’s made eight appearances in the U18s Premier League, scoring nine goals and one assist. He has also made seven appearances for the U21s.

According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Chelsea want to sign Derry in the summer transfer window, who has been at Selhurst Park for his whole youth career. The winger’s contract at Palace is set to expire in the summer, and Chelsea are keen to make a move for him.

The report says that the 17-year-old recently rejected a new contract at Selhurst Park, meaning that he may already be aware of Chelsea’s interest in signing him in the summer. If so, a move to Stamford Bridge looks like the next possible move for Derry in his young career.

However, if he were to join Chelsea, the path to regular first-team football would look a lot more difficult due to the depth that the Blues have in their squad. Whereas, if he remains at Palace, he could see a more simple route to playing for Oliver Glasner’s side.

Chelsea planning Crystal Palace summer raid

The Blues remain keen on defender Guehi, and are likely to make a summer transfer move for him. The England international has made 24 Premier League appearances for Palace this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists. He has helped Glasner’s side get up to 13th in the league table.

However, Chelsea will have to battle Newcastle and Spurs in order to sign Guehi, due to the fact that they both previously saw bids rejected by Palace for the defender both in the January and summer transfer windows.

Reports have also linked Guehi with a move to Liverpool, meaning that Chelsea could be embroiled in a bidding war for the 24-year-old.