Newcastle United should shock everyone by signing Crystal Palace’s replacement for Marc Guehi

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Newcastle United are interested in signing Marc Guehi, but are yet to strike a deal for the Crystal Palace captain.

The Magpies are considering reigniting their pursuit of the 24-year-old, after narrowly missing out on him 12 months ago.

Eddie Howe’s need for a centre-back has not gone away, as Newcastle target Guehi once again.

However, Newcastle do have doubts over Guehi, while there is also the threat of other Premier League suitors swooping in for a player who was England’s star performer at the 2024 European Championship.

Crystal Palace interested in Marc Guehi replacement

All the while, Crystal Palace are making a plan in case Guehi does leave Selhurst Park.

According to the Telegraph, the Eagles are interested in replacing Guehi with Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

They report that the Ivorian defender will cost at least £45million.

Newcastle United should target Ousmane Diomande ahead of Guehi

Newcastle are linked with Diomande too, and he is the centre-back that Eddie Howe should bring to St James’ Park instead of Guehi.

At 21-years-old, Diomande is much younger than Guehi. The England international turns 25 in July.

The Magpies would get better value for money if they pursued Diomande. A separate report from the Telegraph claims that Newcastle value Guehi at £40million, but it remains to be seen what kind of fee Palace are looking for.

At £45million, you could argue that Newcastle would get more for their money by bringing in Diomande.

There would be the complication of him needing time to adapt to life in the Premier League, but Newcastle can afford him that time as they get set to start the 2025/26 season with Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar as centre-backs.

It would be a risk, but it is one worth taking. Newcastle have scouted Diomande a lot in recent years and seen his potential first hand. He looks primed to blossom into one of world football’s best defenders.

That is the view of his former manager Ricardo Sousa, who told O Jogo in 2023: “He [Diomande] is going to become one of the best centre-backs in the world, there’s no doubt about that.”

If Newcastle are serious about getting away from the Premier League tax that is plaguing their summer transfer plans then a move for Diomande makes complete sense.