Newcastle United are not on course to sign Marc Guehi, which could force the Magpies to look for an alternative.
It was reported on Thursday that Newcastle are pulling out of a deal for Marc Guehi, having grown tired of negotiations with Crystal Palace.
The saga has been going on for weeks, with Newcastle unable to agree a fee with Steve Parish. Crystal Palace want £75million, whereas the Magpies have offered £70million.
That would make Guehi Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, but it is still not enough for Crystal Palace to accept.
Now Toon officials are scrambling to find a solution to their centre-back situation, with the transfer window due to close at 11pm.
Newcastle linked with Mohamed Simakan
One Marc Guehi alternative that Newcastle United have been linked with is Mohamed Simakan.
The 24-year-old has been on the Magpies’ radar, while it was reported that Simakan could leave RB Leipzig for around £42million.
Now he is going to leave RB Leipzig, and he is going to sign for a club that is owned by PIF.
However, it is not Newcastle United.
Fabrizio Romano shares Mohamed Simakan ‘here we go’ message
While he has been a target for Newcastle, Simakan has also been linked with a move to Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Arabian club have been in talks to sign the Frenchman, and now have a deal in place to bring him to the Middle East.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who has stated on X that a transfer is set to be completed.
Romano wrote on X: “Mohamed Simakan to Al Nassr, here we go! Deal agreed on five year contract for CB to join from RB Leipzig with Geertruida as replacement. Despite links with PL clubs, only Al Nassr in concrete talks with Leipzig as exclusively revealed two days ago. Medical in 24/48h.”
PIF move to sign Newcastle target
Leipzig also have a replacement lined up for Simakan, with Lutsharel Geertruida set to join the German club from Feyenoord.
There was hope that Leipzig’s search for a Simakan replacement could result in the defender heading to Tyneside, but he is now taking his talents to Saudi Arabia.
He is signing for a PIF club, but not the one that Newcastle United fans were hoping for.
This is surely a case of Eddie Howe not being fully convinced by the alternatives to Guehi. A deal for Simakan was clearly achievable, yet he is signing for a club that has the same owners.
Instead, Toon fans wait nervously to see what Newcastle United are going to do on transfer deadline day. Newcastle are willing to do business on deadline day, but it feels like the only chance of a major deal is if Crystal Palace change their mind over Guehi.
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