Crystal Palace have just booked 'medical tests' for Chelsea star as deadline day deal 'agreed'

Chelsea look set to offload another of their unwanted stars on a loan deal following the departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga earlier this week. The Blues have been working hard to offload the members of their so-called ‘bomb squad’ on deadline day, and indeed during the last few weeks.

Enzo Maresca has sent a number of players to train separately, giving birth to the ‘bomb squad’, with those players told they are free to leave providing suitable deals can be found. Romelu Lukaku found a way out in the form of a permanent deal to Napoli, Kepa joined AFC Bournemouth on loan, while Raheem Sterling is being offered to Arsenal, according to the latest reports. Armando Broja is said to be attracting interest from Ipswich Town, too.

Trevoh Chalobah has been negotiating a complicated deadline day, frantically searching for a new club after being told he was not part of Maresca’s plans. The defender, who played a key role under the Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues revival last season, was left home by Maresca for Chelsea’s pre-season trip to the USA.

Maresca described it as a ‘sad decision’ but maintained that it was a decision he had to make amid a squad of more than 40 senior players. Chalobah has been linked with a number of clubs but has struggled to find a club. Crystal Palace’s interest was expected to fall by the wayside after they managed to keep hold of star centre-back Marc Guehi amid a number of bids from Newcastle United.

With the Eagles already replacing Joachim Andersen with Maxence Lacroix, it was unclear whether Palace would move to sign another centre-back, but it seems they will snap up Chalobah on a loan deal ahead of the deadline at 11pm on Friday night.

Transfer ‘insider’ Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Trevoh Chalobah set to undergo medical tests at Crystal Palace as loan deal from Chelsea has been agreed.” The deal should suit all parties, with Palace not needing to commit a big fee, while Chalobah can get regular football and Chelsea can still stand a chance of getting the centre-back back in at Stamford Bridge should Maresca change his mind or a new manager with a different opinion of the defender come in some time in the future.

Glasner on Guehi boost

Palace boss Glasner was understandably delighted after the club managed to keep Guehi away from Newcastle, standing firmly by their £70million valuation. He said in Friday’s press conference: “It was never really in doubt. Congratulations to Crystal Palace, to the chairman, to the owners, that they didn't give in.

"Especially after the transfer of Joachim Andersen, it was very important that Marc stays. Also thank you to Marc. We were always close and talking a lot. All of the rumours didn't influence his performance, his mood, his professionalism. He always told me he is not pushing to leave Crystal Palace and for me that is the most important thing." Newcastle were said to have bid as much as £65million and perhaps even a little more, but they did not reach the £70million asking price.