Report: Crystal Palace set to battle Chelsea in the race to sign highly-rated defender | OneFootball

Crystal Palace Move Early in Diomande Race, Creating Knock-on Effects for Liverpool

Chelsea have been tracking Sporting Lisbon centre back Ousmane Diomande, yet the real intrigue now sits in south London where Crystal Palace have accelerated their plans for life after Marc Guehi. According to Caught Offside, “the Eagles are making Diomande a top target to replace Marc Guehi”, a line that underlines the scale of their intent.

Rising Interest in Diomande

Caught Offside highlight that Palace and Chelsea are not alone, noting that “Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle are also understood to have scouted Diomande in recent times”. The competition is fierce, but Palace appear willing to push ahead. One industry source quoted in the report stated, “the current feeling is that Palace are showing the strongest interest in Diomande, followed by Chelsea”, a sentiment echoed by others who view Palace’s scouting operation as both proactive and well aligned with their long term squad architecture.

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Sporting Lisbon do not want to sell and have pointed directly to the defender’s €80m release clause. Palace will inevitably find that valuation difficult to meet. Yet the clarity of their pursuit suggests a club preparing for unavoidable change. As another source suggested in the article, “this is a clear signal that the south Londoners are planning for life without Guehi”.

Guehi Future Sparks Wider Implications

Guehi’s situation is already well documented. He “won’t be signing a new contract and is due to become a free agent next summer”, a scenario that has encouraged interest from across Europe. Liverpool came close last summer before Palace backed away late due to lacking an adequate replacement.

Landing Diomande would immediately address that concern. In the words of the report, “if they can land a talent like Diomande to strengthen their defence then that would help fill the gap left by Guehi”. One figure familiar with the process added that Palace view Diomande as “a long term anchor for their defensive rebuild, not merely a stop gap”.

Liverpool’s Calculated Wait

Liverpool supporters may look at this development and interpret it as positive momentum. The article notes that “LFC fans will no doubt hope this is a boost for them in their pursuit of Guehi”. However, the same section quickly stresses that “it doesn’t necessarily mean Anfield will be his next destination”.

Guehi’s market will be broad. Suitors are plentiful, and the presence of Champions League clubs ensures Liverpool cannot rely on circumstance alone. Even so, Palace’s hunt for a successor does reaffirm one reality. As the article puts it, “Guehi’s future lies away from Selhurst Park”. That message has rarely looked clearer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Crystal Palace fans should feel encouraged by the ambition shown here. Diomande is the calibre of defender the club traditionally struggled to access, someone with elite athletic presence, strong anticipation, and a profile that suits a modern Premier League back line. The knowledge that Palace are pushing hardest adds a sense of authority to the project. Supporters will appreciate that the club are not standing still while preparing for Guehi’s departure.

Losing Guehi will hurt. He has been a defensive cornerstone and a leader. Yet this report paints a picture of a club acting early and decisively rather than drifting into a rebuild without structure. The hope among fans will be that Palace can convince Diomande of a clear development pathway and regular Premier League minutes, something not guaranteed at Chelsea or Manchester United.

If the deal materialises, it would represent a statement signing. Even if the price proves challenging, the intent behind the move aligns with what supporters have long wanted, a proactive approach that aims to elevate the squad rather than simply replace departures.