West Ham fans react as Crystal Palace reportedly beat Hammers to £20m deal

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West Ham and a host of other Premier League clubs are reportedly set to miss out to Crystal Palace in the race to sign Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. The Blues are set to cash in permanently as they raise funds for a striker. West Ham are keen, but Palace look set to sign him – and fans are gutted.

Guehi, 21, has caught the eye after starring for Swansea City over the last 18 months. Clocking up 59 appearances under the guidance of Steve Cooper, Guehi was one of the Championship’s best central defenders last term. This summer, he returns to Chelsea – but will remain in the top tier.

That is because The Athletic report that Chelsea have accepted an offer from Patrick Vieira’s new-look Palace side. Guehi, who is worth between £15million and £20million, will undergo a medical on Thursday. The centre-back is due to sign a five-year deal.

What have West Ham fans said about Guehi joining Palace?

Palace needs a centre-back with Scott Dann, Gary Cahill and Mamadou Sakho all leaving the club on free transfers. One of those three could stay, but nothing has been made public. Guehi adds some much-needed depth, something West Ham could do with at centre-back, too.

With the Europa League on the horizon and David Moyes preferring to play three at the back, West Ham need a defender. Fabian Balbuena has gone, and another body at centre-back is crucial. The report says West Ham were among the suitors after Guehi – and fans have shown frustration on Twitter.