Crystal Palace has already found a suitable replacement for Marc Guehi. | OneFootball

The London club is close to signing their young star defender.

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A changing of the guard appears imminent at the heart of Crystal Palace's defense. With the departure of key defender Marc Guéhi now seen as an unavoidable reality, manager Oliver Glasner faces the critical task of finding a new defensive leader to build his team around.

The club's strategy is swiftly taking shape. As the summer transfer window looms, Palace have identified a primary target to fill the impending void: Manchester City's experienced defender, Nathan Aké. The 30-year-old, who has found consistent playing time hard to come by at the Etihad, is viewed as the ideal candidate to not only shore up the backline but to bring a wealth of top-level experience.

For Aké, a move to Selhurst Park could represent the perfect stage to rediscover his form and re-establish himself as a pivotal figure. While his current contract with City runs until 2027, his search for regular football could align perfectly with Palace's newfound urgency.

The potential deal carries a certain narrative weight; Aké, a former €45 million signing, would arrive with a point to prove, tasked with replacing a star who has outgrown his surroundings and is now coveted by Europe's elite. Glasner's first major rebuild is officially underway.