What Newcastle were hoping Marc Guehi would do before they pulled out of £70m deal

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Newcastle United have been hoping that transfer deadline day will end with Marc Guehi at St James’ Park.

The 24-year-old has been Eddie Howe‘s top centre-back target, and Paul Mitchell has been trying desperately hard to bring the England international to Newcastle United.

However, it does not look like that will now happen, as Newcastle pulled the plug over a deal on Thursday.

It has been reported that Newcastle have stepped away from the Guehi deal, having been unable to agree a fee for the Crystal Palace defender.

Newcastle offered a deal worth £70million for Guehi, but Palace are looking to receive £75million.

That has left the Magpies’ transfer plans in tatters, having spent the majority of the summer trying to bring in a right-sided centre-back who could be Fabian Schar’s long-term successor.

Marc Guehi has not tried to force Newcastle United transfer

Newcastle think Marc Guehi is perfect for that role, but have been unable to bring him to St James’ Park – despite the player actually wanting to sign for Newcastle United.

However, the Telegraph report that Guehi has done nothing to try and force a move away from Crystal Palace.

The Telegraph add that Newcastle thought Guehi would try and push a move through, but they were wrong.

Had Guehi done that, it might have put Palace under a bit more pressure to sell. You do not want an unhappy player in your camp, and it may have resulted in Steve Parish deciding to accept the £70million offer on the table.

But Guehi, being the top professional that he is, has seemingly not got involved. While that has hindered Newcastle’s attempts to sign him, his conduct does have to be admired.

What Newcastle United will do instead as Guehi deal collapses

It has left Newcastle in a difficult position on transfer deadline day.

The Guehi deal is off, as it stands. That could change if Crystal Palace soften their stance, but that feels extremely unlikely ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm.

Newcastle are willing to do business on transfer deadline day, but are not going to buy players just for the sake of it.

That may result in a centre-back not arriving, as Guehi was the only player that Eddie Howe wanted.

At the moment, the only incoming could be a goalkeeper. Newcastle want to sign James Trafford from Burnley, but that deal may hinge on a current Toon goalkeeper leaving the club before 11pm.