Chelsea could use links with the Crystal Palace star to push themselves into pole position in the transfer race.

Chelsea could have the upper hand in the transfer race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer with the player's links to Stamford Bridge potentially playing out in favour of Enzo Maresca.

The 24-year-old is a product of the youth academy at Stamford Bridge but only ever made two first team appearances for the Blues. Guehi spent time on loan at Swansea City before moving to Selhurst Park for £18 million in 2021.

The England international has been the centre of transfer talk this season with Newcastle United reportedly submitting a £60 million bid last summer. Tottenham Hotspur were then claimed to have sent an offer to Crystal Palace of £70 million around Deadline Day earlier this month, but were rebuffed by their Premier League rivals.

Crystal Palace have been desperate to keep Guehi on the books until the end of the season. However, with his contract entering its last 12 months this summer, there's a sense that a summer exit will be sanctioned.

Chelsea value Marc Guehi at £50m

GiveMeSport have a fresh update on the transfer saga and hint that Chelsea could be frontrunners to complete a deal. Transfer specialist Ben Jacobs told the outlet: "There will be other suitors. Of course, we shouldn't discount Newcastle, who made a series of bids last summer - and Tottenham could return, even though Kevin Danso ended up joining.

"But I think the feeling is that Guehi knows Chelsea, obviously very well. He's been there before, he's open to that move, and I'm told he would ideally like to stay in London.

"So Chelsea can see value in the fee for Guehi, which has been deemed to be very inflated in previous windows. But if - because of his contractual situation - that fee drops to in and around £50million, I think that is a deal that Chelsea will return for. And if they can agree a fee with Palace, I think the player is open to returning to Stamford Bridge."

Guehi spent a total of 14 years working his way up through the ranks at Chelsea, having joined as a seven year old. His two senior outings came in the League Cup against Grimsby Town and Manchester United.

Tottenham and Newcastle United also linked with Crystal Palace defender

The defender has gone on to rack up 123 Premier League appearances and is a fully fledged England international. Guehi has featured 25 times in top flight matches so far this season for the Eagles, with three goals and two assists to his name.

Speaking about the player earlier this year, Chelsea legend Joe Cole said: "The priority for Chelsea is in central defence. Benoit Badiashile is picking up injuries and Wesley Fofana has been wonderful, but he keeps on breaking down. Levi Colwill is a young player who’s done well but he still needs to develop and improve, and he will do.

"It’s so frustrating for Chelsea because they’ve sold someone like Marc Guehi, and he’s gone on to become a top centre half which I could see [at the time]. Guehi is a proper player and he’s in England’s starting line up now and Chelsea are going to have to fork out to get him back. It’s an area that needs to be sorted out at Chelsea.

"Some of the lads, like Axel Disasi, haven’t quite settled as much as the club would’ve liked. I like the links with Marc Guehi but it’s just frustrating that they need to go and buy players that they’ve sold – Chelsea do it far too often!

"If needs must, and it’s the right move, you have to do it and I don’t think there’s a better centre-half in the country, outside of Manchester City and Arsenal, he’s as good as anything there is, and he will get better."

In other news, Chelsea and West Ham upcoming opponents Leicester City have confirmed a double sacking today.