Marc Guehi was a transfer target for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe - but the Magpies have cooled their interest in the Crystal Palace man.placeholder image
Marc Guehi was a transfer target for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe - but the Magpies have cooled their interest in the Crystal Palace man. | Getty
Newcastle United’s transfer frustration felt by fans, but club remain confident of additions - although Marc Guehi unlikely to be one of them.
Newcastle United have cooled their interest in long-term target Marc Guehi - and club transfer chiefs are instead turning their attentions elsewhere.
While panic has quite justifiably swept across the Magpies' fanbase after recent transfer moves hit brick walls, the club remain confident, as things stand, that their summer will significantly strengthen Eddie Howe's hand ahead of a return to the Champions League.
It's true, United have, to date, endured a challenging summer. A number of high-profile targets, understood to be right at the top of Howe's transfer wishlist have slipped through the net. Presentations were made to representatives of Liam Delap, Mathias Cunha, Joao Pedro and Dean Huijsen this summer, with all deciding, for various reasons, that Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid were more favoured destinations. The interest in Bryan Mbeumo, labelled by many as a 'knock back', never really got past initial soundings. Newcastle's interest disappeared when it became apparent the Brentford man would demand £250k per week.
The interest in Liverpool target Guehi, to this point, has also been genuine. But now transfer strategy is said to have switched away from the player, and on to the continent.
The truth about Joao Pedro
The news that forward Pedro is set to sign for Chelsea in a deal worth around £60m has sparked the latest round of social media fears among supporters.
While it's true Howe is a huge fan of the Brazilian, along with the club's ever-decreasing transfer committee, the player never made any secret of his want to prioritise a move to London. It seems any switch to Tyneside could only have materialised were Chelsea not to make their move - which they did in agreeing a fee over the weekend.
It was a truth told by his Seagulls' teammate Igor Julio in the Brazilian media just a few weeks back. Speaking with Trivela, via Metro, he said of Pedro's future: "‘He always told me that he really wants to live in London, so I think he will prioritise what comes from there first."
Eddie Howe personally pulled the plug on a deal to sign Pedro from Watford in the summer of 2022. Newcastle had the deal tied up in all but name, but for an injury to No.9 Callum Wilson, which forced a rethink, and prompted a move for Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad. The rest, as they say, is history.
Marc Guehi to Newcastle United off - as things stand
Newcastle have absolutely zero want to get involved in any protracted transfer sagas. That was exactly what played out last summer with Guehi, as Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish held firm in the face of Newcastle advances. Bids north of £50m, in total, but never close to the £60m reported, are understood to have been discussed last summer, but all of that effort, driven mainly by now ex-sporting director Paul Mitchell, came in vain.
While Guehi is admired by United still, NewcastleWorld has learned the Magpies have already turned their attentions elsewhere. And unless situations change significantly, it's unlikely the club will make any further moves for the player, despite his decreased market valuation. Guehi has just one year left on his current deal at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool are said to be monitoring the England international, admired by Howe for his speed and quality with the ball, but are also being hit by an inflated Palace valuation of the player this summer.
Transfer breaking point - deal close
Newcastle are very close to their first deal of the summer - and, as expected, it's James Trafford.
While the deal has largely been thrashed out, there has been some last minute to and fro when it comes to finalising the terms.
But it is expected the Magpies will get their man, and a massively inflated fee to the one they agreed last summer.
Last year United were willing to part with around £20m for the England call-up, seen by many as the country's natural heir to the gloves post-Jordan Pickford. It's possible they will be forced to pay around £32m this summer.
Confidence remains among NUFC transfer chiefs
It's felt like a summer of 'doom and gloom' for Newcastle United. But while some level of transfer frustration is being felt acutely by those at the coal face, they remain calm and confident they can significantly strengthen the squad this summer.
Newcastle are having to be careful with their budget - which is much more than previous windows but not close to some of huge numbers quoted in some quarters. So, as ever in a depressingly boring PSR world, every penny counts.
And while domestic targets remain, with Anthony Elanga right still very much in play, Newcastle have turned their attentions to the continent in search of recruits. The hope is, more value can be extracted from players outside the Premier League, with valuations for players rocketing this summer.
Central defenders are being assessed, but as reported by NewcastleWorld on June 14, Sporting Lisbon and Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande is NOT one of those, despite widespread reports elsewhere.
Giorgio Scalvini, of Atalanta, is admired, but at this stage is not thought to be a realistic transfer.
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