Marc Guehi to Chelsea transfer truth after Enzo Maresca message and Liverpool decision made

Chelsea looked set to bring in at least two new players in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, but a recent major twist makes three additions now much more likely.

Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato have already joined the Blues with just over £200million spent on those six additions, so far. Despite that spree, wholesale exits and winning the Club World Cup has put Chelsea in a position to continue pursuing more targets.

Departures for Noni Madueke and Joao Felix, alongside the expectation that Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson will also leave, has made more attacking additions a priority. Talks are now ongoing with Manchester United and RB Leipzig for Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, respectively.

What needed to be done in the final few weeks of August seemed clear, but one huge injury blow looks set to change things. On Wednesday, Enzo Maresca revealed that Levi Colwill had picked up an issue in training and a club statement the following day confirmed he had already undergone surgery.

Given his importance to Chelsea, despite the plethora of centre-backs still contracted to the club, a replacement could be targeted with it possible he misses the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign. With that in mind, the Chelsea boss gave a clear response to questions over whether or not a new centre-back would be targeted.

"It's a priority that we strengthen the defence," he boldly admitted after the 2-0 win vs Bayer Leverkusen. "This is because Levi is a fantastic player. What we achieved last season is because of him. He's played all the games with me, I love him, we're going to miss him."

Benfica duo Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva have both been linked but, for a number of reasons, if any defender joins, it seems unlikely to be former player Marc Guehi.

The Crystal Palace captain has just 12 months remaining on his current contract and does not look set to sign an extension there. Given his quality and uncertain future, an exit from Selhurst Park over the coming weeks is a real possibility, although it may not be to join Chelsea.

That is because Liverpool are the favourites to land Guehi and look set to have a clear run at signing him with the Blues prioritising other transfer targets, according to the Telegraph.

Their report states that, while the England international has admirers from Stamford Bridge, bringing him back is not currently on the club's agenda.

Despite Maresca's comments, it seems as though focus will be on finalising deals for Simons and Garnacho with Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, and new signing Hato as their current first-team options available in the centre of defence.

Renato Veiga, Aaron Anselmino and Axel Disasi, meanwhile, are unlikely to be at the club this season - especially because Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are nearing injury returns with hope the latter is back in September.

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