Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United need an injection of positivity after St James’ Park was a bit ‘flat’ last Saturday.
The Magpies kicked off the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Southampton, but the decibels only started to increase once Fabian Schar was given a soft red card for a ‘headbutt’ on Saints forward Ben Brereton Diaz.
The Chile international flung himself to the floor in embarrassing fashion, with Alan Shearer describing Brereton Diaz as ‘pathetic’.
From that moment, there was a sense of injustice inside St James’ Park. Tackles were cheered, with a challenge from Sean Longstaff receiving just as big a roar as Joelinton’s winner did.
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle now need to sign Marc Guehi
However, it was a bit of a subdued start to the new season for Newcastle United, and Alan Shearer believes that may have been down to the lack of transfer activity over the summer.
The Magpies have made four new signings so far, but none of them improve Eddie Howe’s starting XI. However, that will change if Marc Guehi joins the club.
And that is a deal that Shearer thinks Newcastle desperately need to complete, having spoke to Sky Sports News about the transfer situation at St James’ Park.
“I would hope they get that over the line,” he said.
“It would be pretty tough if they didn’t after what’s gone on in the last couple of weeks.
“I think that’s one that they’ll have to do. It was a little bit flat in terms of the atmosphere last Saturday, and I think that was probably to do with maybe a lack of activity in the window.
“I would be hopeful we get something done in the next week or so.”
Newcastle getting closer to Marc Guehi signing
After a lengthy saga, Shearer is very keen for Newcastle to get the Guehi deal over the line. There is even more pressure to get the deal done after the Southampton game too, as Fabian Schar is going to be suspended for three games.
His absence highlights how desperate the Magpies are for another right-sided centre-back to arrive, while you could argue that Eddie Howe’s side are desperate for any kind of reinforcements.
Shearer thinks that contributed towards the atmosphere last weekend, but there could soon be a lift amid hope that Guehi is on his way to Tyneside.
It has been reported that Crystal Palace have now decided they should sell Guehi, and it looks like a move to St James’ Park is edging closer.
It looks likely to be a club record deal for the 24-year-old, with Crystal Palace looking to receive more than £65million. That would represent a huge profit for the Eagles, as they paid £18million for Guehi in 2021.
But this is the optimum time for Crystal Palace to sell Guehi, as he has two years left to run on his contract at Selhurst Park. His value will have dramatically dropped if he is still a Crystal Palace player this time next year, while his performances at Euro 2024 mean his stock is higher than ever.
That is what is forcing Newcastle to pay major money, but it is a deal that will be wildly celebrated if Guehi does join the club.
Shearer is hopeful that is the case, as he thinks it could be ‘pretty tough’ if Guehi does not arrive at Newcastle United.
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