Newcastle United 'send scouts' to watch Chelsea's £25m Marc Guehi 'alternative'

Chelsea are aiming to strengthen their defence during the January transfer window, in order to keep pace with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

The Blues are winless in their last five Premier League matches, and sit fourth in the league table, 10 points and a game in hand behind leaders Liverpool. Enzo Maresca’s side drew 2-2 to Bournemouth on Tuesday night, in a game where they relied on a 95th-minute equaliser from Reece James to rescue a point at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are yet to make a move in the January window, but after a busy summer, it would come as a surprise if they don’t sign anyone this month, simply because of their activity in the transfer market under owner Todd Boehly. They are keen to sign a centre-back during this window following what’s likely to be a season-ending hamstring injury to Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea have been linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. However, the Eagles rejected bids up to £70m from Newcastle in the summer for Guehi, meaning that he will command a hefty transfer fee if Chelsea are to sign him this month.

Newcastle join Chelsea in pursuit of Tomori

Instead of Guehi, they have been linked with former academy product Fikayo Tomori, who moved from Chelsea to play for AC Milan in 2021 for around £30m. Tomori has since made over 160 appearances for the Serie A side, but has fallen out of favour this season.

Reports emerged earlier in January that Milan had offered Tomori to clubs, with Chelsea being one such team that held an interest. A deal for the 27-year-old would be expected to cost around £25m.

However, the Blues now have competition, as Newcastle have reportedly sent scouts to watch the defender in recent months. According to Football Insider, the Magpies are now in the race to sign the centre-back, as they look for an alternative to Guehi.

The report included quotes from former Premier League scout Mick Brown, who said: “Newcastle will know all about him, though, because they’ve had scouts watching him in Milan for a number of games this season. If he wants to return to England, as has been suggested, I think they’ll be at the front of the queue.”

Chelsea also keen to sign Barcelona centre-back

The Blues have also been linked with Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo as an alternative to Guehi this window. Araujo has also emerged as a potential transfer target for Arsenal, who are looking to add more depth at the back after having dealt with injuries to Gabriel, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori at times this season.

The Barcelona defender is said to be valued at around £52m, a hefty asking price, but amid reports linking him with a move away, if Araujo wants to leave, the La Liga side may have to sell him for less.