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Crystal Palace identify Marc Guehi replacement after £70m Tottenham transfer bid rejected

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi
-Credit:Getty Images


Crystal Palace have lined up two talented Championship centre halves to replace Marc Guehi should he leave the club in the summer. Guehi, 24, was subject to a £70million bid from Tottenham last week.

Palace rejected the proposal and were eager to keep him at Selhurst Park until at least the summer. But with Guehi's contract entering the final 18 months, the Eagles might have to cash in at the end of the season.

There is an expectation that the former Chelsea defender is going to leave Palace but his destination is uncertain. Tottenham could come back in after their deadline day offer was turned down, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have been linked with a move for Guehi.

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In the case that Guehi is sold, Palace have lined up a couple of replacements. According to The Sun, Burnley's Maxime Esteve and Middlesbrough's Rav van den Berg are the two names that have been identified.

Esteve, 22, has been excellent for Burnley this season. The Clarets have the best defensive record in the English Football League this season, having conceded a staggering nine goals in 31 Championship matches this season - and Esteve has been a massive part of that success.

Van den Berg, 20, has caught the eye at Boro this season. The Dutch talent has started in each of their last six Championship matches and established himself as a key performer at the back.

First-choice target Strahinja Pavlovic doesn't look like he is going to be moving to Palace, however. They have been priced out a deal to sign the Serbian, with AC Milan demanding for £35m.

Palace have enjoyed an up-turn in performances and results in recent weeks, with last weekend's 2-0 win at Manchester United marking a fourth clean sheet in their last five matches. The Eagles are aiming to continue that run when they travel to League Two side Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Monday.

Speaking ahead of their trip to South Yorkshire, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: "We’re looking to Doncaster. Always in a Cup competition, or the same in the league, it makes no sense thinking about the end – you have to make several steps to lift the trophy in the Cup.

"You could see the Stockport game. We played at home, and then we had a good start, but it was not so easy to create chances and score goals. Now, we play away at Doncaster. We watch them and we have a respect for them."