According to prominent Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano Chelsea submitted an “unrealistic” offer for Marc Guehi in an attempt to bolster the club’s underwhelming defense and received a swift response from Crystal Palace as the club wants a better offer for the former Chelsea defender.

Chelsea’s initial offer for Marc Guehi has been labeled “unrealistic” as they look to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s defense.

The Blues identified Guehi as a key target this January following injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Maresca acknowledged the need to explore transfer options this month. Guehi, who has shone in the Premier League and for England, has caught Chelsea’s attention for a potential return after his £18 million transfer to Crystal Palace in 2021.

According to The Sun, Chelsea’s opening bid for Guehi was far below Palace’s valuation and is expected to be rejected outright. The Eagles reportedly turned down offers of up to £70 million from Newcastle during the summer. A source stated, “The offer was nowhere near a fair price. It was almost laughable, and they’ll need to significantly improve it to even have a chance.”

Further complicating negotiations is a sell-on clause in Guehi’s contract, entitling Chelsea to up to 20% of any transfer fee Palace receives from rival clubs. This clause is likely to influence any discussions between the two sides.

Guehi’s reputation soared after his standout performances for England at Euro 2024, though with only 18 months remaining on his contract, his market value could start to decrease. Palace chairman Steve Parish previously emphasized that any suitor would need to pay “superstar money” to secure the defender. Speaking in August, he stated, “If you want a generational talent like Marc Guehi, you need to make an extraordinary offer. We’re under no pressure to sell and love having him here.”

While Chelsea prioritize Guehi, they also have the option to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Palace, where he has formed a strong backline alongside Guehi and Maxence Lacroix. Additionally, Maresca has expressed confidence in Josh Acheampong, who recently made his league debut, and has alternatives in Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi should their pursuit of Guehi fall through.