Having seen a series of bids rejected for Guehi last summer, the Newcastle hierarchy are ready to return to the table in a renewed attempt to sign the Crystal Palace centre-half.
While Palace were holding out for a fee of around £70m for Guehi before the start of last season, there is an acceptance that the Selhurst Park club will almost certainly have to accept a lower sum this summer. Guehi will enter the final year of his current contract at the end of this month and has shown no desire to sign a new deal with the Eagles.
Palace have reportedly lined up a successor in the shape of Sporting defender Ousmane Diamande, and there is an expectation that Guehi will leave before the start of the new Premier League season.
Newcastle have made the acquisition of a new central defender a priority this summer, and Guehi would almost certainly be handed an immediate starting spot if he was to move to St James’ Park.
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However, while Chelsea have also repeatedly been touted as long-term suitors, Arsenal are understood to be posing the biggest threat to Newcastle’s hopes of landing the 24-year-old.
While the Gunners boast William Saliba and Gabriel as their leading centre-half options, there is a major drop-off to the likes of Jakub Kiwior or an out-of-position Riccardo Calafiori if anything happens to either of Arsenal’s first-choice central defenders.
Mikel Arteta wants to add genuine depth and competition to his centre-half ranks this summer, with Guehi having emerged as a leading Arsenal target. If the Gunners were to table a formal offer for the England international, it would almost certainly make it much more difficult for Newcastle to strike a deal.
The Magpies have made contact with Burnley this week over goalkeeper James Trafford, but talks are currently on hold after the newly-promoted Clarets quoted a £40m fee for the 22-year-old.
Trafford expressed a desire to join Newcastle last summer, but remained with Burnley as Scott Parker’s side won promotion to the Championship. The Magpies are keen on a deal, but regard Burnley’s current valuation as much too high.