Crystal Palace have earmarked Burnley’s French defender Maxime Estève and Middlesbrough’s Dutch youth international Rav van den Berg as possible replacements for Marc Guehi, who could leave Selhurst Park in the upcoming transfer window. According to The Sun, Palace are preparing for the possibility of losing their star centre-back and are scouting defensive reinforcements.
Guehi, 24, has been linked with several top Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, meaning Palace may need a solid defensive plan in place before his departure.
đź“Š Player Profiles & Career Stats
Maxime Estève (Burnley)
- Age: 22 (Born May 26, 2002)
- Nationality: France
- Position: Centre-Back
- Height: 193 cm
- Club: Burnley
🔹 2024/25 Season Performance (Burnley)
- Premier League Appearances: 17
- Clean Sheets: 5
- Interceptions per 90 mins: 1.9
- Tackles per 90 mins: 2.5
- Passing Accuracy: 84.3%
Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough)
- Age: 20 (Born July 7, 2004)
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Position: Centre-Back
- Height: 190 cm
- Club: Middlesbrough
🔹 2024/25 Season Performance (Middlesbrough – Championship)
- Appearances: 22
- Clean Sheets: 7
- Interceptions per 90 mins: 2.1
- Tackles per 90 mins: 2.8
- Passing Accuracy: 86.7%
🔎 Why Are Palace Targeting Estève & van den Berg?
🦅 Replacing Marc Guehi’s Defensive Quality
- Guehi has been one of Palace’s most reliable defenders, making him a target for bigger clubs.
- Palace need young, talented centre-backs who can step into the starting lineup immediately.
âš˝ Long-Term Investments
- Estève and van den Berg are both young but experienced defenders, making them long-term assets for Palace.
- With Burnley and Middlesbrough open to negotiations, Palace may be able to sign them at reasonable prices.
⚖️ How Do They Compare to Marc Guehi?
| Player | 2024/25 Clean Sheets | Interceptions per 90 | Tackles per 90 | Passing Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) | 6 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 87.1% |
| Maxime Estève (Burnley) | 5 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 84.3% |
| Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough) | 7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 86.7% |
💡 Analysis: While neither Estève nor van den Berg completely matches Guehi’s experience, both have high defensive work rates and strong passing abilities, making them ideal replacements.
đź’° Potential Transfer Fees & Challenges
- Burnley could demand around £20 million for Estève, given his Premier League experience.
- Middlesbrough may ask for ÂŁ15 million for van den Berg, especially if multiple clubs show interest.
- If Guehi leaves for a big-money move, Palace may have the funds to sign both defenders.
đź‘€ Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
💬 “If Guehi leaves, we need a top-quality replacement! These two look promising.” – @PalaceFaithful
💬 “Rav van den Berg is a hidden gem. Palace should sign him ASAP.” – @EFLScout
💬 “I’d rather keep Guehi, but if he goes, these signings make sense.” – @EaglesFan
🏆 Verdict: Are Estève & van den Berg the Right Choices for Palace?
Crystal Palace are wisely preparing for life after Marc Guehi, and Maxime Estève and Rav van den Berg are both solid defensive options.
While Premier League experience gives Estève an edge, van den Berg’s ball-playing ability and defensive awareness make him a great long-term prospect. If Guehi departs, Palace will need to act quickly in the transfer market.
📢 What do you think? Should Palace sign Estève, van den Berg, or both? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
