Crystal Palace are understood to have parted with at least £18m to sign 21-year-old centre-back Marc Guehi from Chelsea.
Guehi was one of the standout defenders in the Championship last season with Swansea City, and many Chelsea fans had hoped to see him given a shot in the Blues' first team this year. But a reluctance to go out on another loan saw him shipped out to Crystal Palace permanently.
Initially, all that was known about the deal was that Chelsea had negotiated a sell-on clause for the youngster as well as securing the right to match any future bid, with the transfer fee kept out of the limelight.
However, that has now changed as both the Daily Mail and Adam Newson state Palace have agreed to pay £18m to land Guehi - money which will go towards the pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
"It was a big decision for me [to make a permanent move] because I’ve been at Chelsea for such a long time, since the age of seven," Guehi told Palace's official website. "Emotionally it was difficult after being at one place for such a long time and knowing that you wont be there.
"Being at Chelsea really helped me in my development, getting better and helping myself excel.
"I said goodbye to everyone, to the coaches that coached me since I was young and the people that helped me get to this stage. I’m extremely grateful for their help."
Guehi's departure came on the same day that it was confirmed that 19-year-old striker Armando Broja has put pen to paper on a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Broja bagged ten goals in the Eredivisie with Vitesse last season, making him the highest-scoring teenager across Europe's top ten leagues, and the Blues have managed to secure his future until at least 2026.
Source : 90min