It is no secret that Newcastle United are in the market for a central defender this summer. The lack of quality depth in their defensive roster cost them dear in the 2023-24 season and saw them miss out on a second successive campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
Eddie Howe and Co. will be aware that it was a resolute backline that aided their top-four push in the 2022-23 season and it will be a position they will be keen to reinforce before the 2024-25 campaign kicks off.
Having been knocked back in their pursuit of Malick Thiaw, the Magpies are now moving fast to secure the services of Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi. The former Chelsea youth prospect has built up a solid reputation as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League and is coming off a strong Euro 2024 campaign for England.
Guehi was linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool but according to David Ornstein of the Atheltic via X, the Magpies have made the opening move and stolen a march on their rivals’ services. As things stand, talks are currently underway between Palace and Newcastle, and the latter will be keen to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.
In Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles, Newcastle have two center-backs who can be considered reliable. However, with the duo nursing injuries, they will have to depend on Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, and Lloyd Kelly. Guehi is certainly a cut above these players and is also a leader at the back. His signing could prove revolutionary for Newcastle United in terms of how they view their defensive prowess.
However, Guehi is unlikely to come cheap, as Palace have put a £70 million valuation on the player’s services. Given their recent run-in with PSR, the Magpies might need to sell before they can splurge on the Palace star.
What this means for the future of Anthony Gordon remains to be seen. Talk of a return to Liverpool is doing the rounds once again, and selling him would certainly give the Magpies the funds needed to bring in Guehi. Whether this is a transfer domino waiting to fall remains to be seen.
