Chelsea to reward Maresca for UCL qualification with Eagles captain as first signing

Chelsea secured their spot in next season’s Champions League with a hard-fought victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day of the league season.

However, the Blues’ season isn’t over yet—they face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday, and just two weeks later, they’ll head to the United States for the Club World Cup.

It’s shaping up to be a hectic summer for Enzo Maresca’s squad, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

Maresca is keen toam before the trip across the Atlantic in June, with a new central defender at the top of his wish list.

According to Football Insider, the Blues are pushing to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and want to wrap up the deal quickly.

The 24-year-old, who’s in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, is expected to leave Palace this summer, and after establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the league, a move to a Champions League club is seen as the next step.

Palace are holding firm, demanding around £70 million for the England international, but Chelsea’s history with the player and their ambition to strengthen the backline could see them get the deal done early in the transfer window.