Newcastle have the chance to pull off a “significant coup” by beating rival Premier League clubs to the signature of Marc Guehi, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
The journalist has revealed that the Magpies have “opened negotiations” with Crystal Palace for the England international:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle United open negotiations with Crystal Palace to sign Marc Guehi. 24yo England centre-back high on list of multiple leading clubs but #NUFC 1st to hold talks after approach to #CPFC this week. Would be significant coup @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/p5t1FqBaJe
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 2, 2024
Guehi has two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park but he is not expected to put pen to paper on the extension. It means that Palace are willing to sell the defender this summer.
Reports suggest that the Eagles want between £55m and £65m for the 24-year-old, so there are still some doubts over whether Newcastle have the necessary funds to complete the transfer.
Multiple clubs are after Guehi
It’s clear that the Magpies will have to move fast if they want to snap up the centre-back. Ornstein claims that “a number of Europe’s biggest clubs” have Guehi high on their list of targets.
Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are just some of the teams that have been linked with the former Chelsea academy player over the past few months.
Newcastle are short of numbers in the middle of defence
Manager Eddie Howe has three fit centre-halves in his squad at the moment, with captain Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman expected to be sidelined with knee injuries until the New Year.
Lloyd Kelly has been recruited on a free transfer from Bournemouth, but the only other senior options available to Howe are Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.
Bringing in Guehi would, therefore, be a massive boost, but there is a long way to go before this transfer is sealed. Now that the news is public, there is a danger that another team could hijack the deal, so we shall see how this story unfolds.
