Chelsea included a ‘matching clause’ into the deal that took defender Marc Guehi to Crystal Palace, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The 21-year-old departed his boyhood club on a permanent basis last July after the Eagles stumped up £18 million to secure his services following an outstanding 2020/21.

What is the latest news involving Chelsea?

It could be a busy summer for manager Thomas Tuchel, who is expected to lose both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers over the coming months.

According to well-known reporter Fabrizio Romano, Rudiger will join La Liga champions Real Madrid on a four-year contract after an agreement was reached between the relevant parties.

Meanwhile, Spanish outlet AS claim that Christensen has finalised his move to Catalan giants Barcelona after a nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge.

The duo’s imminent departures will leave Chelsea relatively short of options at centre-back next season then, and Tuchel is expected to enter the transfer market in search of their replacements.

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One option is Seville’s Jules Kounde, with the Daily Mail claiming the France international has informed his current club of his desire to seek a new challenge.

Kounde came close to joining Chelsea last summer before the capital club refused to match his £68m release clause but could finally make the switch ahead of next season.

What has Barclay said about Guehi?

Another option for Tuchel could be sanctioning the return of Guehi, though, after Barclay revealed to GiveMeSport that the west London outfit can ‘match’ any offer made for him.

He told GMS: “They don't have a buyback clause. My understanding is, they have a sort of matching clause.

“So, if a club offers whatever amount and Palace accept it, then I think the way it works is Chelsea would then have the option to basically match that fee, and it would have to be accepted. But yeah, we'll wait and see on that one really.”

Would Guehi be a good signing for Chelsea?

Guehi departed Chelsea after making just two senior appearances, yet he’s thrived since joining Palace, turning out 39 times in all competitions under Patrick Vieira throughout 2021/22.

In that time, the astute defender has scored four goals, while averaging 3.4 clearances, 0.8 blocks, 4.4 long balls and 65.4 passes with a passing accuracy of 86.8 per cent, as per WhoScored.

Those figures place Guehi in the top three amongst his teammates for each metric, and his outstanding form has earned him a maiden senior England cap, indicating that his possible return to Chelsea would be well deserved.