Newcastle United remain hopeful of winning the race to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi after head coach Eddie Howe and influential figures decided that they will prioritise the addition of a centre-back after bolstering their attacking options at St James' Park, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Magpies have been pushing to land Anthony Elanga, with an improved bid worth £55million being submitted for the Nottingham Forest winger earlier this month, but they are also in the market for reinforcements in other positions as they prepare for a season which will include Champions League action.
Howe succeeded in fighting off stiff competition to recruit Antonio Cordero following the expiry of his contract at Malaga, with the teenager opting to join Newcastle instead of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Porto, and there is a desire to secure long-term target Guehi in the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Guehi Remaining in Magpies' Sights as Option
England international eyed as plans made to bolster backline
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
Newcastle are refusing to give up on striking a deal for Guehi, according to GMS sources, as they are determined to get their hands on a new central defender after bringing in another attacker alongside Elanga as they step up preparations ahead of getting their campaign underway against Aston Villa next month.
Although Crystal Palace turned down a £70million offer for the England international during the winter transfer window, when Tottenham Hotspur came calling for his signature, the Magpies have remained firm admirers and are eyeing him as a potential option as they aim to bolster their backline.
GMS sources have been informed that Newcastle are still in the hunt for Guehi, who made 44 appearances in all competitions and won the FA Cup during the 2024/25 campaign, even though it has seemed increasingly unlikely that he will head to St James' Park for a fresh challenge.
Marc Guehi's statistics for Crystal Palace this season
The 24-year-old has been described as a 'superstar' by Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish and, having entered the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, Howe has been sniffing an opportunity to pounce for a cut-price fee due to an awareness that the Eagles will not want to run the risk of him leaving as a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
Newcastle's recruitment staff will focus on attracting a new defensive presence to Tyneside after improving their options in attack, GMS sources have learned, and Guehi fits the bill as they are particularly eager to make a significant signing to put pressure on the likes of Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
Howe Looking at Possibility of Scalvini Swoop
Tyneside giants keeping open-minded in pursuit of reinforcements
Giorgio Scalvini in action for Atalanta
GMS sources have been told that Newcastle have pinpointed alternative targets due to there being a recognition that they may miss out on overcoming competition for Guehi, leading to there being an eagerness to discover whether a deal for Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini would be possible.
The Italian's current employers have insisted that they will do all they can to keep him out of the Magpies' clutches, with them being keen to avoid a situation where key men head through the exit door ahead of the Serie A campaign getting underway, but he is firmly on Howe's radar.
Newcastle could also make an approach for Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi after fellow suitors Juventus baulked at his price tag, GMS sources understand, as the St James' Park hierarchy aim to make improvements to the squad after being forced to contend with a slow start to the transfer window.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauding Related
Alongside Elanga: Newcastle Want to Sign 'Lethal' Winger, He's Open to Joining
Newcastle United are eyeing a summer move to sign Johan Bakayoko this summer, and he'd be open to joining.
GMS sources recently revealed that the Magpies are exploring a move for Harvey Elliott, having seen the Liverpool man spearhead the England under-21 squad to European Championships glory, but Crystal Palace remain at risk of being raided due to Guehi being eyed on Tyneside.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 07/07/2025
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