Newcastle United have started the season with a victory but Alan Shearer seemingly sees a transfer problem on the horizon.
The Magpies welcomed newly-promoted Southampton to St James’ Park and came away with a 1-0 victory.
That doesn’t come close to telling the story though as Newcastle were hit with a sending-off in the first half.
Fabian Schar clashed with Ben Brereton Diaz and the Newcastle centre back was given a straight red card for a perceived headbutt.
Newcastle still managed to find the opener though, profiting from slack Southampton passing as Joelinton found the net.
The Saints piled on the pressure but Newcastle stood form, securing a battling 1-0 win in the face of adversity.
Alan Shearer on Marc Guehi
Newcastle will be delighted with three points and a clean sheet but Schar’s absence is a problem.
Jamaal Lascelles and Jamaal Lascelles are already long-term absentees and Newcastle really couldn’t afford to lose another centre back.
Schar now faces a spell out of the team with suspension just as Newcastle attempt to sign a new defender.
HITC understands that Newcastle’s latest Marc Guehi bid has been rejected by Crystal Palace.
The Magpies are keen to bring Guehi to Tyneside but Palace are proving a tough nut to crack – especially after selling Michael Olise to Bayern Munich.
Newcastle may hope to strike a deal but Alan Shearer has joked that Schar’s red card may work against them.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer suggested that Palace may be tempted to hike up Guehi’s asking price again.
Shearer joked that Palace may see Schar’s absence as a reason to put the price up by another £5million with Newcastle set to miss the Swiss defender.
“If anything, it will probably put another £5million on the Guehi fee if they are going to try and get him, because he misses the next three games,” said Shearer.
Palace have Guehi replacements in mind
Palace have already lost Olise whilst Eberechi Eze is rated by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Eagles don’t want to lose all three of Olise, Eze and Guehi in one window but will have replacements in mind in case the worst happens.
HITC understands that Palace are interested in Trevoh Chalobah with the centre back surplus to requirements at Chelsea.
Fulham are also keen on Chalobah but are also eyeing Aston Villa’s Diego Carlos.
Maxence Lacroix has also been linked with Palace as Oliver Glasner considers a reunion with the Wolfsburg defender.
Newcastle need to make a decision on whether or not to make another bid for Guehi – and will hope the price tag hasn’t gone up.
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