Newcastle United were in hot pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the summer.
Their failed attempts to sign him went down as a huge failure in the summer transfer window. Newcastle United had several bids for Marc Guehi knocked back in what was a huge blow for the club and sporting director Paul Mitchell.
The belief around the club is that Mitchell was furious about the rejected bids for Guehi. The 24-year-old ended up staying at the Eagles and has played in 23 Premier League games so far this season, keeping seven clean sheets.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner wants a replacement before selling Guehi, so Newcastle may have to wait if they want to sign him in the summer.
Guehi was subject to a £70m bid from Tottenham Hotspur in January. Their approach was snubbed, and Spurs signed Kevin Danso instead.
With the England international’s club future in doubt, a new report has suggested what Palace realise must happen in the summer with clubs looming.
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Crystal Palace make Marc Guehi transfer decision
Guehi has his fair share of admirers across the Premier League. As well as Newcastle and Tottenham, Chelsea want Guehi. However, Newcastle must pay Guehi a £170,000-a-week wage to lure him away. That would immediately make him Newcastle’s highest earner, trumping Bruno Guimaraes‘ high wage bill.
According to SunSport, Palace have realised that Guehi will have to be sold in the summer amid interest from the three Premier League sides. Guehi’s contract runs out at the end of next season, so the summer will be their last opportunity to get as close to his market value as possible.
The report suggests that Guehi’s replacements have already been identified – Middlesbrough’s Rav van den Berg and Burnley’s Maxime Esteve are the most likely alternatives.
Guehi’s camp was ‘surprised’ about Tottenham’s January bid – they did not expect any offers for the defender but reports suggested that Spurs were ‘rushing’ to sign a new defender after injuries to several first-team options.
Newcastle can afford to spend big in the summer
The last three transfer windows have been quiet on Tyneside. Lewis Hall was the only signing that made a difference to Newcastle’s squad, despite the likes of Lloyd Kelly and William Osula also joining.
Newcastle’s timid approach to transfers in recent windows has meant that they are now in a position to spend in the summer. Mitchell will have a £73m PSR boost at his disposal in the summer once the heavy losses from the 2021/22 season drop off the FFP cycle.
In theory, this means that Newcastle could sign a £70m player if they wanted to. The Magpies need to improve depth in several positions but they could still make a marquee signing that would please many fans.
Mitchell would prefer to spend less money on younger talents from abroad, however. Summer plans are already in motion as Newcastle entered pre-contract talks with Antonio Cordero from Malaga. The 18-year-old has impressed this season, scoring four goals in La Liga 2.
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