Newcastle’s summer transfer dealings were widely reported in the summer.
The Magpies were left with egg on their face at the end of the summer window – new sporting director Paul Mitchell joined in the middle of the window and Eddie Howe suffered as a result.
Aside from signing Lewis Hall, there were no additions to Newcastle’s first-team squad that would improve the side from the get-go. Mitchell was left to pick up the pieces but has since implemented a new transfer strategy at the club.
Although a defender isn’t the priority for Newcastle in January the hope is that there will be room in the budget to invest at the back. Newcastle’s priorities are to sign a striker, winger and goalkeeper.
Now, a recent report suggests that a player Newcastle spent a long time chasing could make a move in January, but it won’t be to Tyneside.
Chelsea in pole position for Marc Guehi
Newcastle wanted Guehi in the summer but failed in their attempts. According to The Athletic, the defender is Howe’s primary target.
Guehi left Chelsea to sign for Palace in 2021, hitting the ground running from day one. The 24-year-old has since been named club captain but things haven’t gone to plan for the Eagles this season – they sit 15th in the Premier League, just five points off the relegation zone.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Guehi could make a return to the Blues who aren’t short of defensive options by any means. Newcastle lost Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea – European football was too appealing for the 27-year-old despite a lucrative offer to move to Tyneside.
Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season so Crystal Palace must decide his future in January.
The report suggests that if Chelsea approach Guehi before the transfer window shuts, they would be in pole position to sign him but Palace are confident they can keep him at the club until the end of the season.
PSR remains a problem for Newcastle – the club must sell before buying but Mitchell is keen to recruit from abroad instead.
Newcastle’s options after Guehi
The Magpies have other defenders they could look to who would cost a fraction of what Palace asked for Guehi in the summer.
Benfica defender Antonio Silva is on Newcastle’s radar while Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov is also a target despite interest from a slew of clubs across Europe including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Elsewhere, PSG’s Milan Skriniar is also likely to leave the club in January – Newcastle have a longstanding interest in him.
Despite being cheaper than Guehi, the main concern in a PSR-driven world is the price tag. Khusanov is the cheapest option of the three, with a value of around £20m.
It’s Mitchell’s first full transfer window, the pressure is on for him to deliver in January to keep Newcastle on course for a return to European football after narrowly missing out last season.
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