Crystal Palace are hoping to complete the signing of Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah before the transfer deadline, according to The Telegraph.
The Eagles are preparing to submit a late bid to sign Chalobah, who has been exiled from the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old has been told he is not in Enzo Maresca’s long-term plans at the club and is one of several players Chelsea is looking to move on in the next few days.
Chalobah has been subject to interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan in previous transfer windows but was eager to remain at the Bridge.
However, his nine-year association with the Blues could come to an end this summer, having joined the club as a teenager in 2015.
Palace have emerged as a possible destination for Chalobah, with the Eagles keen to rescue him from his Chelsea exile.
The South Londoners are in dire need of centre-backs as they look to reshape their backline after losing key players this summer.
Joachim Anderson has rejoined Fulham in a deal worth up to £30 million, while prized asset Marc Guehi appears to be on his way to Newcastle United.
Both clubs have been grappling over a transfer fee, but Newcastle’s latest offer of up to £70 million is expected to be enough to finalise a transfer.
Palace are also closing in on a deal to sign Maxence Lacroix from Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, but he would only fill one of the gaps in their backline.
However, Chalobah is also a target for the final days of the transfer window, with the defender training away from the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Chalobah is part of a group of more than a dozen players who are working away from Maresca’s first-team squad at Chelsea.
He featured 17 times across all competitions for Chelsea last season, with his only goal coming in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
