In a recent development, Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to make an improved offer for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after their initial bid was rejected by the Eagles. The Magpies are on the lookout for a new center-back due to injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, leaving manager Eddie Howe with limited options in defense.
Fabian Schar and summer signing Lloyd Kelly are currently slated to start the season as Howe’s center-back pairing, with Dan Burn and Emil Krafth as additional alternatives. However, Newcastle is eager to secure a marquee signing in defense, with Guehi emerging as their top target following a standout performance in Euro 2024 with England.
Reports from The Telegraph suggest that Newcastle is close to finalizing a deal for Guehi, with the fee rumored to exceed £60m. Despite this, Sky Sports News indicates that talks between Newcastle and Crystal Palace are ongoing, denying claims of an imminent agreement. The Magpies had an initial bid turned down by Palace, but they are expected to return with an improved offer.
It is believed that the two clubs are in discussions, with optimism that a deal could be reached swiftly if Newcastle presents a satisfactory bid for the £60m-rated defender. Newcastle appears to be leading the race for Guehi’s signature, as they are currently the only club involved in negotiations, despite previous interest from several teams earlier in the summer.
While Newcastle missed out on European competition for the upcoming season, they are viewed as frontrunners to secure Guehi’s services, with personal terms unlikely to pose a hurdle in negotiations. Guehi has been a mainstay at Crystal Palace for the past three seasons, featuring in 111 matches across all competitions, including 25 Premier League appearances last season.
In the event of Guehi’s transfer to Newcastle, Chelsea is set to receive 20% of the transfer fee due to a sell-on clause inserted in the defender’s contract when he moved to Palace. The deal is expected to be completed swiftly if both parties can reach a mutual agreement.
