Chelsea 'hit stumbling block' over £50m Marc Guehi transfer as Enzo Maresca 'forced to delay move'

Chelsea's interest in re-signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace could be complicated by the player's wage demands.

The England international defender is in a position to ask for a weekly salary close to £200,000 at top Premier League clubs, according to The Mirror, reflecting his market value which might exceed £50m, despite Palace slapping a £70m price tag on him last summer.

With only 18 months remaining on his current deal, his valuation is expected to decrease, but Chelsea's wage policy, favouring lower base salaries with longer contracts for their key players, may pose an obstacle. The Blues are considering a move for their former academy star, who they sold for £18m in 2021, with a summer transfer appearing more feasible, even though Palace are not keen on selling.

Chelsea's need for defensive reinforcements has grown with Wesley Fofana sidelined, potentially for the rest of the season. Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, has expressed his appreciation for Guehi but remains coy about any potential deal.

"The only thing I can say is Marc Guehi is a Palace player," Maresca commented. "I like Marc for sure but he is not our player. But I like also the central defenders we have."

He added: "I also like different types of central defenders in Italy, Spain and France but that doesn't mean we are going to buy a player. It is a normal situation I think when you have central defenders injured that the speculation is there. At the same time, there is nothing there."

The situation with Trevoh Chalobah's potential return to Chelsea is much like the recent buzz surrounding Marc Guehi, leading Blues fans to wonder what moves might be made. The head coach had to dish out a familiar line: "This is exactly the same [a Chalobah recall]. Unfortunately I have to give you the same answer. Trev is a good player but in this moment he is a Palace player, so we will see."

As Chelsea faithful discuss possible defensive reinforcements such as Marc Guehi, they also consider their present options; despite being short of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile due to injuries, the team still boasts a selection of seasoned centre-backs including Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and newcomer Tosin Adarabioyo.

Across town, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner seems quite confident about retaining his squad's integrity through the transfer window. Talking down speculation of Guehi's departure, Glasner mentioned last week: "I think so. No player from our squad came to me and said [they] want to leave. No one.

"No one that played all the games, all the minutes, like Marc, and no one from the players who didn't play so many minutes. This is the most relevant part: what the player tells me. If one is coming and says they want to leave and both clubs find an agreement, I think it will happen."

He continues to hold firm on his stance and reassures fans, stating: "But as long as a player doesn't come - and Marc didn't come - I am really not concerned he will leave. January 31 is a long time [away], and I know I will have to answer this question several times. You will hear the same answer again."