Newcastle United have left it a little late to move in on their marquee summer signing.
At least, when it comes to registering him in time for Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to newly-promoted Southampton.
But matchday two – Eddie Howe taking on his former employers AFC Bournemouth on August 25th – could be the day in which Newcastle United fans get their first glimpse of Marc Guehi with their badge upon his chest.
HITC understands that Crystal Palace are likely to accept Newcastle’s fourth and potentially final bid for the England international centre-half.
After initially offering around £50 million, The Magpies have now put a club-record bid on the table. Guehi is expected to join for in excess of £60 million – rising to £65 million with add-ons – and Newcastle are understood to be confident that a deal will now get done.
Newcastle United near Marc Guehi deal with Crystal Palace
Premier League giants and potential top-four rivals Liverpool have also been linked; one-time Anfield midfielder Danny Murphy insisting that Guehi would be a ‘terrific’ addition to Arne Slot’s squad.
But as far as Newcastle legend Alan Shearer knows – possibly given the inside track on the developments by his connections on Tyneside – Guehi is only bound for one place if indeed he says his goodbyes to Crystal Palace.
And it’s not Merseyside.
“He is only going to one club I’ve heard, Marc Guehi,” Shearer says with a smirk, barely able to hide his excitement on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football pre-season preview.
“They need to get Guehi in. If they do, I think it will be a real statement signing. If they do get that, I see them finishing maybe fourth.
“We have to sign Guehi or another top player.”
Guehi, Shearer feels, could be the difference between a return to Champions League football or a stint in the Europa or Conference League.
The need for a ball-playing, athletic and defensively-sound left-sided centre-half was only exacerbated by the news that Sven Botman is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The former Lille ace might not return until 2025 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Oliver Glasner says England star available for Brentford
Shearer, meanwhile, is content with a relatively quiet summer at St James’ Park. While eye-catching signings have been few and far between, the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer can live with that if it means Newcastle can retain their star men while freeing up funds to potentially bring Guehi on board.
“It has been a strange summer for Newcastle, with talk that (Eddie) Howe might take the England job,” Shearer tells the BBC Sport. “And earlier there was some speculation that one of their star players might be leaving too.
“(Alexander) Isak and Bruno Guimaraes appear to be staying put now, and I’d be amazed if they or Anthony Gordon left at this stage.
Especially after the club sold two young players, Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest) and Yankuba Minteh (Brighton and Hove Albion), to meet the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
“I would be surprised, and disappointed, if Gordon was sold and hopefully nothing will happen on that front.”
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, was typically upbeat when the questions inevitably rained down about Guehi’s future during his Friday press conference.
As far as the Austrian is aware, Guehi is due to be in his squad for Sunday’s trip to Brentford.
“He trained today with us,” Glasner says, via News Shopper. “We talked. I have no other information. I need to check my bank account to see if anything came in, but it doesn’t look like it. He’s our captain and I can’t say anything else.
“Everyone trained. I’m very close to all the players. As long as nobody tells me gaffer I will leave, or the club tells me this player will leave, we will work with them everyday to ensure we are ready and competitive for a Premier League game.
“At the moment, everyone is available for Brentford. I’m very happy with the squad. This week was the first week we had the whole group together, but we have a great mood on the pitch and in the dressing room. I’m very confident we are ready for Brentford.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
