Newcastle are expected to continue their pursuit of Marc Guehi this summer but an unexpected stumbling block may have just appeared.
The England international was a key target last summer, with the club locked in talks with Crystal Palace for weeks as a number of August offers fell short of Steve Parish’s demands.
Guehi is approaching the end of his contract and has been linked with a return to Chelsea, as well as Tottenham Hotspur. However, there are now reports suggesting two European giants may be in the mix to sign him on a free in 12 months time.
Marc Guehi is eyeing up a ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid or Barcelona, with both interested La Liga giants given a potential boost as the Palace defender applied for a renewal of his Ivorian passport, according to [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/34991842/marc-guehi-crystal-palace-real-madrid-barcelona-transfer/).
This is important due to domestic rules in Spain that restrict sides to just three non-EU players in their matchday squads, which does not apply to those of African nationality due to the Cotonou Agreement.
The coming window may be Palace’s final chance to secure a fee for their captain, but The Sun’s Jack Rosser reveals that the 24-year-old is now considering running down his contract and assessing the options available to him next summer, where he’ll become available on a free transfer.
This would see the Eagles miss out on a substantial fee for their current captain, but both parties may be willing to take that gamble now their FA Cup success has seen them qualify for next season’s Europa League.
To preface, I have full faith that we will strengthen the squad heading into a season of European football on Tyneside, with Paul Mitchell an experienced operator who’ll be keen to make an impact in his first full summer window.
However, it is vital we do act quickly and decisively as Premier League rivals line up early moves of their own.
Dean Huijsen signing for Real Madrid means that we will likely also miss out on Ilia Zabarnyi, with Bournemouth not wanting to sell both centre-backs this summer. January target Abdukodir Khusanov also ended up at Manchester City.
Marc Guehi may still be available this summer for a fee well below last August’s £70m price tag, but with strengthening needed across the park can we afford to enter a bidding war this time?
It seems we will also miss out on attacking options, with Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha expected to join Manchester United.