Newcastle United have been pretty quiet in the summer transfer market ahead of the new Premier League season.
Eddie Howe was preparing for Champions League football 12 months ago, and even then, the club couldn’t get in who they wanted.
Fast forward to the present and Lloyd Kelly has probably been their standout purchase and he was a free transfer.
Newcastle fans are praying and hoping at least one top player can walk through their doors before the summer transfer window slams shut because that refreshment is needed.
Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City meant that seventh-placed Newcastle won’t be playing in Europe this term, so that doesn’t help matters.
But it hasn’t stopped the Magpies from being ambitious and trying to sign the best players in the Premier League.
Marc Guehi proved at Euro 2024 why he is one of the top centre-backs in Europe and now he is a target of the St James’ Park club.
European football expert Kevin Hatchard has backed Newcastle to sign the Crystal Palace defender and stated that he would be a ‘smart’ purchase.
He also highlighted how the England star can help Newcastle reach the ‘elite level’, as he told Transfer Talk on Sky Sports (12/08/24 at 12:40 pm).
Sources have told HITC Newcastle’s transfer stance on Guehi, after they made a third offer for the hard-hitting defender.
Newcastle United backed to sign Marc Guehi
“I think he would be an excellent signing,” said Hatchard. “I think he is so calm. The mentality is so important at this level. When you are talking about that elite level and where Newcastle want to go. He showed at the Euros that he can perform at that highest level.
“I think he is somebody you can build the defensive line around in years to come. Yes, it’s a lot of money. But that’s fine. It’s the kind of money you have to pay if you want to make those big signings.
“But as Newcastle found last season, you do need that depth because they had so many injury problems. The game is changing. Nobody is really backing down when it comes to the international calendar, so you are going to need numbers and quality. And he would provide both of those. I think it’s smart.”
Marc Guehi would be one of the signings of the summer
If Newcastle can get this one done, then it would be a serious bit of business from the European hopefuls.
You could argue that it would be one of the signings of the summer and someone who would elevate Howe’s backline.
READ MORE: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
Sven Botman is still out with a long-term injury and he is going to be a huge miss, so that centre-back is very much needed.
But you also wonder who could leave, with Miguel Almiron attacking MLS interest and Callum Wilson also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
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