Marc Guehi state of play as Chelsea rival Newcastle United for Crystal Palace defender

Chelsea are reportedly the front-runners to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this summer.

Newcastle United infamously tried - and failed - to sign the England centre-back last year. Several bids were made for Guehi, with reports at time claiming the Magpies bid up to £65million.

NewcastleWorld understands the figure was not as hefty as initially reported but the deal hit a standstill as Guehi stayed put. Public speculation has cooled but Toon chiefs are thought to be maintaining an arm’s length interest in the 24-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window.

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Lloyd Kelly’s expected sale in June will free up PSR headroom but leaves the Magpies short at centre-back. With Fabian Schar and Dan Burn approaching the twilights of their careers, Newcastle will likely be in the market for defensive reinforcements.

Guehi is a proven Premier League defender and his precarious contract situation could open an opportunity. The Palace skipper will have one year left on his current deal this summer and there are no signs of him penning an extension.

Tottenham Hotspur tested the Eagles’ resolve in January but their offer was less than Newcastle’s just months earlier. Having one year remaining will place Palace between a rock and a hard place should the Premier League elite come calling later this year.

The Mirror claim Chelsea - where Guehi graduated from before moving across London - are leading the race despite an abundance of centre-back options. A clause inserted into his 2021 exit means the Blues can match any bid made by another club.