Crystal Palace are set to accept Newcastle United’s fourth bid for Marc Guehi after Eddie Howe’s side offered a club-record fee in the region of £65 million for the Premier League centre-half.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
After seeing their first three offers knocked back by the Selhurst Park outfit, Newcastle United appear to have finally decided to meet Crystal Palace’s demands.
The Eagles stood firm in their valuation of star defender Marc Guehi, refusing to even consider letting the England international leave without their eye-watering price-tag being met.
So while Palace will be understandably disappointed to see Guehi go – a move to St James’ Park is now closer than ever to being completed – Oliver Glasner’s side have at least succeeded in extracting maximum value from a player who joined for a bargain £18 million just three years ago.
HITC can confirm that four is the magic number for Newcastle.
The Magpies have made a new offer worth in excess of £60 million – rising to £65 million with add-ons – with Guehi set to overtake Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak while becoming the club’s most expensive signing of all time.
Newcastle United confident of sealing Marc Guehi deal
Guehi has already agreed personal terms with the Tyneside outfit.
And while the former Swansea City loanee will not be registered in time to take on Southampton in Newcastle’s Premier League opener on Saturday, there is a very real chance that he could be available for for the trip to Howe’s old employers AFC Bournemouth on August 25th.
Newcastle are now confident that a deal will get done.
Guehi, one of the most impressive central defenders in the division over the last few seasons, emerged as Newcastle’s leading target earlier in the summer.
A revelation on the left-hand side of Palace’s backline, he will offset the loss of Sven Botman to a long-term injury while adding pace, technical ability and genuine world-leading potential to Howe’s squad.
“Whatever club comes along for Marc Guehi, he will improve them,” former Tottenham stopper Michael Dawson tells Sky Sports News of a man who enhanced his reputation greatly during England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
“In the summer, when he was away with England, he was magnificent.
“There is no surprise that he is getting linked with different clubs. I am just surprised a few more aren’t involved. If he did go to Newcastle, Eddie Howe would improve him and he will improve the team as well. He would be a great signing.”
Crystal Palace have Chelsea ace among potential replacements
Liverpool are among those who have also been linked with Guehi in recent times.
Ex-Anfield midfielder Danny Murphy feels that the 24-year-old would have been a ‘terrific signing’ for Arne Slot’s side. Particularly with Virgil van Dijk recently turning 33 and Ibrahima Konate’s development stalled by those injury issues.
But while Liverpool still await their first signing of the summer, Newcastle are now confident that their maiden marquee addition will soon be completed.
HITC understands that Crystal Palace could turn to Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah or Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix as potential Guehi replacements.
Newcastle, meanwhile, may have gone for AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw had they accepted defeat in their pursuit.
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