Newcastle United’s transfer saga with Marc Guehi continues to rumble on with the Magpies eager to sign a new defender.
The Crystal Palace star was at the top of Newcastle’s shopping list over the summer, but Paul Mitchell was unable to get a deal over the line.
Palace wanted “superstar money” to part ways with Guehi this summer and their asking price of around £70m was enough to make Newcastle walk away from the deal.
Mitchell’s role as sporting director is now under threat after a disappointing summer, and his recent comments about the club have certainly not helped.
Eddie Howe has been left with a very thin defensive department with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After missing out on Marc Guehi, Newcastle have been linked to several free agent options and Newcastle correspondent Chris Waugh has now shared details on the club’s transfer stance.
Newcastle will ignore free agent market
With Newcastle’s summer budget shackled by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, the free agent market became particularly enticing.
Newcastle had been linked to Adrien Rabiot, but the France international instead has chosen to join Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.
Newcastle were also linked to Kelechi Iheanacho after he was released by Leicester City, but the Tyneside club instead added William Osula to their striker department.
Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip, who was hailed as “incredible” by Jurgen Klopp, has also been floated as a potential target, but Waugh insists that Newcastle have decided against a move.
“Newcastle have named their full 25-man senior squad for the first half of the Premier League season. So, even if they did sign a free agent, that player would be ineligible until January,” Waugh wrote via The Athletic.
“I am unaware of Newcastle actively looking to bring in a free agent in the short term anyway. Matip is someone they watched while he was at Schalke but, at 33, such an addition feels unlikely.”
Newcastle could return for Marc Guehi deal
While a move for Matip – or any other free agent – is off the cards, Waugh believes Guehi is still very much on Newcastle’s radar.
“However, Newcastle are still looking to bring in a right-sided centre-half and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains of keen interest,” Waugh added.
“Newcastle are more likely to return for Guehi, or move for another of their long-term centre-back targets, rather than turn to a short-term fix like Matip.”
Even when Lascelles and Botman return to action, Newcastle will still be in dire need of defensive depth.
A top-class centre-back is essential, and if Newcastle remain firmly in the race for the top four then a deal in January could be a huge boost to the club’s ambitions of returning to the Champions League.
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