According to the Evening Standard, Crystal Palace now lead the race to sign Arsenal and Everton target Levi Colwill.
What’s the story?
Well, Chelsea are closing in on a £34m deal to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, which looks set to have an impact on the 19-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Colwill has just returned to west London after an impressive season-long loan at Huddersfield, where he made 32 appearances in all competitions as the Terriers reached the Championship play-off final.
However, his pathway into the first-team at Stamford Bridge looks set to be blocked, as the Evening Standard believe Thomas Tuchel is targeting three central defenders this summer.
As a result, Patrick Vieira, Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard are all monitoring Colwill.
The Evening Standard believe Crystal Palace are in pole position to sign the teenager, who is also wanted by Leicester, Southampton and Brighton, and are optimistic that Chelsea will let him leave.
Aside from Koulibaly, Chelsea are also close to signing Nathan Ake, while a move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe is also on Tuchel’s wishlist.
The Blues also already have Trevor Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Malang Sarr.
Crystal Palace could beat Arsenal & Everton to Marc Guéhi 2.0
Last summer, the south Londoners pinched a promising defender from Chelsea who didn’t have a Premier League appearance to his name, before turning him into an England international – Marc Guéhi.
Now, we believe Vieira can do the same with Colwill, if he does win the race for his signature.
You may argue that the Frenchman doesn’t have a role for the England Under-21 international, as Guéhi has formed a strong partnership with Joachim Andersen at the back.
However, some sources believe Vieira will look to use a three-man backline with wing-backs more often next season, so Colwill could slot in alongside the pair.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as we are expecting developments in the coming weeks.
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