Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Newcastle United may have some work to do in order to give Marc Guehi a dream welcome gift amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to St. James' Park.
The Magpies have been heavily linked with a move for the Crystal Palace defender since last summer and had a number of bids rejected by the Eagles. Guehi played a starring role for England in their run to the EURO 2024 Final, but Newcastle's hiararchy were unable to reach an agreement with Palace for a transfer.
Instead, the 24-year-old would spend the season remaining at Selhurst Park, playing a key role in helping Palace win the FA Cup but is now being linked with a move to St. James' Park once yet again.
The Telegraph have reported that Newcastle are prepared to make an official approach to Palace in an effort to sign Guehi this summer.
A price tag has not been mentioned in the report, although it has been claimed that the Magpies are not prepared to go as high as the £65million which was reportedly rejected last year.
If Newcastle do sign Guehi, it would give them a decision to make within their squad. This will concern the traditional gift that is given to new signings when they first join a club.
Whenever Newcastle sign a player they often soon announce the squad number that has been given to that signing. This would be the case for Guehi, but work may need to be done to give the centre-back the number he may desire.
Geuhi currently wears the No.6 for Palace, the number which is currently occupied by Newcastle club captain Jamaal Lascelles. The defender's deal runs until 2026, but there is speculation that Lascelles could leave Tyneside when the transfer window opens having struggled with injuries this season.
If Lascelles was to depart and Guehi signed, the No.6 would then be available in the squad. If Lascelles was to stay, though, the club would need to find alternative squad number for Guehi should the club captain be unwilling to sacrifice his shirt number.
Newcastle currently have the numbers 3, 15, 16 24, 25 and 27 currently available to new signings. Any of those could be handed to Guehi if the Palace star was to move to St James' Park and Lascelles was to remain at the club.
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