Chelsea have a great chance of landing one of their targets when the transfer window opens.
Enzo Maresca wanted to bring in Dean Huijsen, but the 20-year-old has signed for Real Madrid in a blow to the Italian.
It means Chelsea will have to turn their attention elsewhere as they look to add a new central defender to their squad.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa are two other names the club are thought to be considering.
Crystal Palace resigned to losing Marc Guehi
Chelsea wanted to sign Huijsen and Guehi but will now have to settle for just the latter if they can get a deal over the line.
It may not be too difficult to persuade Palace to sell the 24-year-old, with The Sun reporting that they have already accepted that he will leave Selhurst Park with Chelsea chasing him.
The main issue for Chelsea will be competition from other clubs, just like with Huijsen. Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Guehi, for example.
Teams in England targeting Guehi is hardly a surprise, as the former Chelsea man has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League at Palace.
Guehi just captained the Eagles to FA Cup glory following their 1-0 win against Manchester City on Saturday, showing the player he has become.
Steve Parish’s warning to Marc Guehi suitors
While Palace are resigned to losing Guehi, who is about to enter the final year of his contract, owner Steve Parish has warned interested clubs in the past that the England international will not come cheap.
Parish has suggested that Guehi is a “superstar” and therefore warrants superstar money.
Speaking to BBC Sport in an interview last year, he said: “Somebody [in another interview] said he’s a superstar, so somebody has got to pay superstar money.”
Of course, with Palace at risk of losing Guehi for nothing next summer, Parish may have to compromise and lower the England ace’s asking price.
Whatever happens, Guehi will leave Selhurst Park as a Palace hero after the club’s unforgettable FA Cup triumph.
