£40m transfer talks hand Chelsea Marc Guehi boost as Noni Madueke dilemma emerges

The new Premier League season is getting closer with Chelsea among the clubs to have been active in the transfer window so far.

The Blues have completed the signings of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr as they look to build on the season just gone. The 2024/25 campaign, the first under Enzo Maresca, saw them secure Champions League football and win the UEFA Conference League.

The new Premier League fixtures were released this week with Chelsea starting their campaign against Crystal Palace at home on August 17. But first, concentration remains on the Club World Cup.

The Blues take on Flamengo later today, before playing ES Tunis in their final group game on Wednesday.

While the competition is going on, work is still being done in the transfer window. So, here’s a look at a couple of the latest stories doing the rounds.

Marc Guehi boost

Chelsea have received a potential boost in their hopes of re-signing defender Marc Guehi this summer, with Crystal Palace in talks over a possible replacement.

Various reports claim that the Eagles are in talks with Sporting CP over a transfer for centre-back Ousmane Diomande. The Ivory Coast international is said to be valued at £40 million, which would make him a record signing for Crystal Palace.

Palace are said to be on the lookout for a centre-back given the uncertainty over the future of Guehi, who is out of contract with the club next summer.

FL says : It’s a situation that Chelsea will be watching with interest. If Palace do pay out a record sum for Diomande this summer, then that should make them more willing to cash in on Guehi this summer to avoid losing him for nothing.

Chelsea will however beat off competition for the centre-back if they are to make a move. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have both been strongly linked with an interest.

Arsenal interest

Arsenal are one of several clubs to have ‘made checks’ on Chelsea winger Noni Madueke ahead of a possible summer move, according to the Telegraph.

The England man has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the off-season, with the Blues showing an interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens. The report says that clubs believe that Madueke could be sold this summer.

Arsenal have not made an approach to Chelsea for the player but are said to have ‘looked at his situation’.

FL says : Arsenal are on the lookout for a winger this summer, with the club linked with Nico Williams and Rodrygo, so it’s not out of the question that they could make a move for Madueke if other targets get away.

The former PSV Eindhoven man could struggle for game time with Chelsea next season, especially if the club do complete the signing of Gittens. The Blues could therefore look to cash in while there is interest from several clubs.