· 17 May 2025, 18:30
**This summer Newcastle United will look to bring a new central defender to the club to form a long-term partnership with Sven Botman.**
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace has long been the preferred choice by Newcastle to take up that role.
Last year, Newcastle fought hard for Guehi's signature, being drawn into Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish's trap where the Magpies were strung along for weeks, right up until the eve of transfer deadline day, only for Parish to pull the plug on the deal.
That hasn't put Newcastle off trying again this summer, reportedly, and the Magpies are still said to be leading the race for his signature this summer.
Marc Guehi has his eyes on La Liga giants according to reports
Marc Guehi his eyeing a move to Spain next year
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Reports had suggested that Newcastle were ready to fork out £70 million for Guehi last year, but the England defender is entering the final year of his contract at Palace, and as such, is likely to cost a lot less this summer.
However, [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34991842/marc-guehi-crystal-palace-real-madrid-barcelona-transfer/) are now reporting that there could be another plan afoot. Marc Guehi is now expected to stay at Palace for the final year of his contract in order to move to Barcelona or Real Madrid for free next summer.
The report claims that Guehi has renewed his Ivory Coast passport in anticipation that, since Brexit, English players are classed as Non-EU, and Spanish clubs can have just three Non-EU players in their match-day squad. Guehi holding an Ivorian passport negates this issue, making him more attractive to Spanish clubs.
Seems a bit ambitious for Marc Guehi to be eyeing Barcelone and Real Madrid
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Newcastle could now end up missing out on Guehi altogether if this story is true.
Many Newcastle fans are likely to revel in this news as they feel burned by Crystal Palace's actions last year, and while it wasn't really Guehi's fault, the attitude amongst the fans is that they don't really want him at St James' Park.
We're not sure how true this story is, however, it seems a bit ambitious for Marc Guehi to be eyeing Barca and Real Madrid, but we'll see how it plays out in the summer.