Chelsea set to rival Liverpool in £80m battle for experienced Premier League star: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly set to rival Liverpool in the race to sign star Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Football Insider reports that the Reds have been long-term suitors, while Simon Phillips reports that the Blues are looking to resign their academy graduate in January.

Guehi graduated from Chelsea's famed Cobham academy in January 2020. Following an 18-month loan spell to Swansea, he moved to Selhurst Park for a reported £18 million in July 2021.

Over the past three-and-a-half seasons, he's made 130 appearances for the Eagles, establishing himself as one of the top young centre-backs in the Premier League. His explosive pace, pin-point long passing, and general on-the-ball quality have caught the eye of top English sides.

Liverpool currently have four centre-backs in their ranks - club captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Jarell Quansah. With Konate sidelined due to a knee injury, Guehi could be a valuable long-term addition and potential replacement for Van Dijk, whose contract expires in the summer.

On the other hand, Chelsea have a plethora of defenders at their disposal, including Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana. They would likely have to part ways with one of their existing defenders before signing Guehi. However, it would still not be a guarantee if he'd be a regular starter under Enzo Maresca.

With the January transfer window set to open in two weeks, it will be interesting to see if the Reds or Blues make a concrete move for Guehi's services.

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Liverpool, Chelsea interested in 20-year-old Ecuadorian defender - Reports

Amid links with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, Liverpool and Chelsea have also showcased interest in Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordonez.

Ordonez joined Belgian giants Club Brugge's B side, Club NXT, from his boyhood side Independiente for a reported €3.9 million in August 2022. He made the jump to the senior team in July 2023, gradually becoming a key first-team player by the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Ordonez has made 53 senior appearances for Brugge so far, and has also made four appearances for the Ecuador national team. His precise passing, excellent physicality, and aerial dominance are just a few of his qualities that have garnered him attention from many top European sides.

According to reports from Belgian news outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, Liverpool and Chelsea are closely monitoring Ordonez's progress. It is believed that the two sides could potentially make a move for his services in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old has previously claimed that he is interested in moving to the English top flight. He said to HLN (via Liverpool.com):

"The Premier League, I would like that. I’m (currently) focused on Club (Brugge), with whom I want to win another title."

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool and Chelsea make an offer for Ordonez or prioritize other transfer targets, like Marc Guehi, in the January transfer window.