Simon Jordan just cannot resist the temptation to rub the Newcastle United fans up the wrong way.
And there is nothing that gets the backs of the fans up more than questioning their beloved team’s so-called ‘big club’ status.
But as far as the former Crystal Palace chairman is concerned, Marc Guehi going from Selhurst Park to the Stadium of Light may not really be the forwards step the England international requires at this stage of his career.
Certainly not a downward step, or a sideways one however. But maybe somewhat diagonal.
HITC understands that, as of last week, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are still poles apart in their valuation of Guehi. The Magpies are offering £50 million but The Eagles – digging in their claws – are demanding closer to £65 million.
Jordan’s Selhurst successor, Steve Parish, warned Newcastle on Monday that they would have to pay ‘superstar money’ for what he calls a ‘generational talent’, via Sky Sports.
And while Jordan and Parish do not often see eye to eye, this is a stance the former is happy to throw his weight behind.
Crystal Palace hold firm as Newcastle United target Marc Guehi
“Other people have called Guehi a superstar. And Parish said, quite rightly, if he’s a superstar then you have to pay superstar money,” Jordan, who spent ten years at the helm of Crystal Palace until 2010, tells talkSPORT (14 August, 11.20am).
“I am surprised it is Newcastle in for Guehi. I am surprised bigger clubs (aren’t going for him).”
As things stand, Newcastle appear to be the only side making a concerted effort to lure the former Chelsea defender away from his South London home.
Though former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that could change between now and the start of September. He feels that, if his old employers are to really challenge for the Premier League title under Arne Slot, Guehi is the sort of game-changing addition required.
Liverpool tipped to move for £65m England international
“I think he would be great for Liverpool,” Murphy argues. “They might still come in (for Guehi).
“I think he is a terrific player; calm, two-footed, reads the game well, quick. You need pace at centre-half these days with the way most teams are playing.”
Liverpool are yet to spend a penny this summer, their pursuit of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi falling flat. And while Virgil van Dijk remains as solid as ever, there are concerns over the fitness and consistency of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate even if Jarrel Quansah offers considerable promise.
Crystal Palace snapped up Guehi back in 2021 for just £18 million after a fine loan spell at Swansea City.
Jordan again does not miss the opportunity to hail the work of esteemed sporting director Dougie Freedman, the brains behind the deals that brought in Guehi, Ebere Eze, Adam Wharton, Michael Olise and more after stints in the Football League.
“Look at the job Dougie Freedman has done,” Jordan says. “Look at the players Palace have brought in, even when he was managing them.
“If someone breaks your arm off at the shoulder (with an offer for Guehi), you take it. But Parish has laid down the position; ‘Go away and come back when you’re serious’.”
Palace could look a little further afield should Guehi leave, however. HITC understands that Maxence Lacroix – who worked with head coach Oliver Glasner at Wolfsburg – is an option.
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