Crystal Palace are set to sign Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell on loan for the rest of the season, sources have told ESPN.

Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is set to join Premier League rivals Crystal Palace on loan for the rest of the season.

Ben Chilwell is set to join Crystal Palace on loan and finally end his Chelsea nightmare – but Paul Merson has one concern over the transfer. The left-back has played just 45 minutes of football this season – as a sub in a Carabao Cup match – after being exiled from Chelsea’s first-team by Enzo Maresca.

Palace’s primary target heading into January was 20-year-old El Hadji Malick Diouf of Slavia Prague. But after a £12.5million bid was rejected and further talks stalled, the Eagles decided he was too pricey and pursued other options.

Ben Chilwell is set to secure a loan away from Chelsea on transfer deadline day after the Blues came to an agreement with Crystal Palace for a deal until the end of the season

Crystal Palace have expressed an interest to sign Ben Chilwell on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season. Chelsea have made Chilwell available for transfer or a loan since last summer. He is not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans and has played just 45 minutes this season,

Ben Chilwell looks set to finally leave Chelsea, having played just 45 minutes of football since Enzo Maresca arrived as manager, though the left-back will remain in the Premier League

Ben Chilwell has been frozen out at Chelsea this season and has not played a single minute of Premier League football this season.

Bayern Munich's move for forward Christopher Nkunku will not happen in this transfer window but could be revived in the summer. (Christian Falk)