Football
Exclusive: Chelsea in Talks Over Chalobah-Guehi Swap Deal with Crystal Palace
Chelsea and Crystal Palace are in talks for a swap deal involving defenders Trevor Chalobah and Marc Guehi, along with cash. Guehi's potential move has sparked interest from various clubs. Chalobah's future at Chelsea is uncertain. Palace values Guehi at £60m, while Chelsea may need to pay £40m in a swap deal. Chalobah's top-flight experience is appealing to Palace.
Real Betis Balompie v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League Final 2025 by James Gill - Danehouse | Getty Images
Chelsea and Crystal Palace have discussed a possible swap deal for England defenders Trevor Chalobah and Marc Guehi, with some added cash thrown in, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Palace are resigned to losing international centre-back Guehi this summer, with the Blues one of a string of clubs clambering for his sought-after signature.
Having missed out on former Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who joined Real Madrid instead this summer, Blues’ boss Enzo Maresca is desperate to force a move through for Guehi ahead of next season.
If a deal for Guehi is done then Chalobah’s chances of playing regularly would significantly decrease.
Chelsea tried to sell their homegrown talent last season having been surplus to requirements, but no permanent switch was agreed.
He spent the start of the season on loan with Palace and enjoyed his time at Selhurst Park.
Chalobah chipped in with three goals in 12 appearances for the Eagles and was well-liked in south London.
However, having initially been frozen out at Stamford Bridge, the Blues recalled the defender due to injuries.
UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE CHAMPION
The 25-year-old impressed on his return, playing 13 Premier League games and also five European games in the side which were crowned the UEFA Conference League winners.
Palace are open to Chalobah returning, especially with Guehi ready to move on.
But Guehi is valued as much as £60million, with Newcastle, Manchester City and Arsenal all in the mix to sign him.
That would mean if any swap deal was to happen then the Blues would have to fork out as much as £40milion for Guehi, with Chalobah valued at around £20million in the deal.
Chalobah’s current contract expires in June 2028 and, having learnt a decent whack of his train at loan clubs Ipswich, Huddersfield and Lorient, the former England youth international has 83 Premier League experiences under his belt.
And it is understood one of the main reasons Palace are trying to line up a deal with Chelsea for Chalobah is because of his top-flight pedigree and England future as one of the country’s top talents.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.