Return to Premier League on the cards for 26-year-old who flopped at Chelsea; Crystal Palace show interest

Chelsea academy graduate Jake Clarke-Salter could yet live his Premier League dream

Chelsea academy graduate Jake Clarke-Salter has been subject to links for a move to the Premier League. Three Premier League clubs — Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Bournemouth—are interested in acquiring his services, per Transfer Insider.

His performances in the Championship over the years, complemented by his impressive outings for Queens Park Rangers, have got multiple Premiership clubs eyeing the 26-year-old’s signatures.

There have also been reports last week that suggested Scottish giants Celtic are interested in signing Jake Clarke-Salter this summer. 

These aggregate to some top-quality clubs link with a possible move for Cobham graduate, who has made 25 starts in 29 appearances for the Hoops in the ongoing campaign. 

Impressing for the Rangers

The 26-year-old centre-back had a difficult start to the season at QPR after failing to impress Gareth Ainsworth, although he has become a regular presence at Loftus Road since Marti Cifuentes took charge of the club in October.

Clarke-Salter has started each of QPR’s last 19 Championship games while helping them avoid relegation to League One. The 26-year-old left Chelsea in 2022, joining Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer following a series of loan spells to Vitesse, Birmingham, Coventry, and Sunderland in the EFL. 

QPR is in a holding position for the price as he has a contract at the club until 2026. It could be important next steps for Jake Clarke-Salter as two mid-table Premier League clubs target his services at Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, while relegation-threatened Burnley are looking to sign him as well. Celtic is another admirable option. 

More Chelsea news

• Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter rejects chance to become Ajax manager
• Chelsea fullback Malo Gusto didn’t travel with the squad as he was rested in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield United
• Mauricio Pochettino says he wanted to rest Chelsea star Cole Palmer in 2-2 draw with Sheffield United

While Chelsea wouldn’t benefit from this, it is nice to see a Cobham graduate doing well in the game. This shows how quality is horned at the club, and Jake Clarke-Salter resembles an example to many who cannot make it with their academy initially.