Crystal Palace have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign 21-year-old defender Marc Guehi for a fee believed to be around $20 million. Palace were in the transfer market for a young centre-back and their sporting director Dougie Freedman has led the pursuit of Guehi, who spent the last season-and-a-half with Swansea City.There was significant interest in his signature from sides in the Premier League and Germany. However, most admirers favoured a loan with an option to buy, whereas Palace were prepared to invest heavily and buy Guehi. The Chelsea trainee has agreed to a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.Eberechi Eze ⛸Wilfried Zaha💥Michael Olise⚡️Marc Guehi 🦾Patrick Vieira already has some handy tools to work with at Crystal Palace 🔨Where will Palace finish next season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/psJ5CslJPL— Goal (@goal) July 15, 2021 Among his suitors in England were Southampton, Brentford, Norwich, West Ham and Newcastle, while Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen were other potential destinations. The 21-year-old is a product of Chelsea’s academy and they were reluctant to sanction his sale. However, Palace presented a proposal that the European champions felt was too good to refuse.Guehi will join the club following the conclusion of their pre-season training camp at St George’s Park. The England U21 international came through Chelsea’s academy and remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2023, but he has made just two first-team appearances to date.He’s English-Nigerian-French-Algerian and he’s just signed for Patrick Vieira’s EaglesPalace have had a long-term interest in Guehi and new manager Patrick Vieira gave the green light to proceed with the transfer. The Eagles have also offered contract extensions to central defensive duo Gary Cahill and Joel Ward and Kristian Wilson has been appointed as Palace’s first-team coach.With Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann having left the club this summer, and Gary Cahill yet to agree a new contract, Vieira had only one recognised first-team centre-back in the shape of James Tomkins. In various occassions during last season, Palace would take to the pitch with two centre-backs who had a combined age of 69, so Guehi’s arrival immediately adds a touch of youthful energy to the side.
