Exclusive: Crystal Palace Eye RC Lens' Facundo Medina as Marc Guehi's Perfect Replacement

Crystal Palace want to sign RC Lens’ defender Facundo Medina this summer. 

The Eagles are set to battle it out with French club Marseille for the 25-year-old’s signature.

England defender Marc Guehi, captain at Selhurst Park, looks destined to leave the London club and they have already listed Medina to fill the gap at the heart of their defence.

The Argentine international has been capped five times for his country and has impressed over the past few years in Ligue 1.

Medina, who is contracted at Lens until 2028, opted to stay at the club during the winter transfer window after the club had already lost defenders Abukodir Khusanov and Kevin Danso to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

A ball-playing centre-back, Medina has been the source of interest from a number of different suitors, with Manchester United previously interested in the player.

Lens knocked back an offer from Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in January, but he will be allowed to leave at the end of the season as he searches for a new challenge.

GUEHI’S EXIT

Guehi will have 12 months left on his contract this summer with officials at the club resigned to the fact the player is unlikely to pen fresh terms. 

And they are desperate to cash in rather than let Guehi leave for free next year.

A number of Premier League clubs are sniffing around the English defender.

Palace fended off big bids from Newcastle United and Tottenham in recent windows.

Liverpool appear the front runners to land Guehi’s services, with Palace wanting a fee in the region of £70million, with Virgil van Dijk’s future at Anfield up in the air.

Chelsea are also interested in bringing their former academy product back to Stamford Bridge after selling him for £18million in 2021.