Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a swoop to re-sign Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi - three-and-a-half years after he left Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mail claims that the "machinations" over a potential move for Guehi have "taken place" at Stamford Bridge this month following the long-term injury recently suffered by Wesley Fofana.

England international Guehi has 18 months remaining on his current deal at Crystal Palace and was the subject of four unsuccessful bids from Newcastle United in the summer window.

READ MORE: Marc Guehi to Chelsea transfer truth revealed as January clause confirmed and next decision made

READ MORE: Trevoh Chalobah and Andrey Santos recalls, Victor Osimhen deal and more Chelsea transfer updates

However, the Mail adds that Palace's "grip" over the defender has weakened since the summer as the defender's contract continues to run down.

It is claimed that Palace valued Guehi at £70m last summer, though Chelsea could use current Palace loanee Trevoh Chalobah as a makeweight in any potential deal with Guehi.

Guehi spent 14 years at Chelsea before joining Palace for £18m in July 2021.

Recalling his departure from Stamford Bridge, Guehi told Sky Sports in 2022: "It hurt a lot just because I was there for such a long time.

"It's such a different feeling leaving there and not going back to where you've been for so long. But in order to grow, sometimes you have to take the hard choice and take the hard path sometimes."

On his decision to join Palace, he added: "I felt, coming off the back of playing so many games at Swansea, I just wanted to carry on my development," he says. "I felt like Crystal Palace was the best place for me to go and do that.

"They're offering Premier League football, and I'm coming to a club that's so stable within the Premier League."