Newcastle United are keen on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi
Newcastle United are keen on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi
Newcastle United's transfer business this summer will come under the microscope perhaps more than any other window since the Said-led takeover. The stakes are so high for the Magpies.
Having ended a 56-year wait for a trophy, expectations have been raised at the club. The trouble with success is that people now want more. Emulating arguably the greatest season in living memory will be tough but excitement is high ahead of what could be a transformative trading period for the club.
Newcastle have in excess of £100million to spend but with a narrow list of targets who can make this team better than what it is. There are clear areas they can strengthen though, including central defence where Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are approaching their mid-30s and Sven Botman has had his injury problems. With the only other recognised centre half on their books being Jamaal Lascelles, himself coming back from a knee operation, and it is evident United need another option in there.
March Guehi remains the preferred choice for Eddie Howe but Newcastle couldn't get a deal done last summer, seeing bids approaching £65m rejected by Crystal Palace. United will go back in for the England man but must decide whether to pay a hefty fee for a player with just 12 months left on his contract.
We asked our panel of writers if they thought Guehi was the right target for Newcastle this window.
Ciaran Kelly
It feels like deja vu. For me, it simply comes down to Crystal Palace's asking price for Marc Guehi. Newcastle United have successfully revisited deals before - not least for another defender, Sven Botman - but it has to be on their terms.
The last thing the Magpies need is another drawn-out saga for a player who has entered the final 12 months of his contract, particularly after what happened last summer.
There is value in Europe, too. Just look at how Willian Pacho has fared at PSG following his €45m move from Eintracht Frankfurt a year ago.
Aaron Stokes
I like Marc Guehi and the fact he is approaching the final year of his Crystal Palace contract only adds to the positives of signing him. If Crystal Palace are willing to play ball this summer, it feels somewhat of a no-brainer.
That being said, Newcastle have scoured Europe in recent windows and as recently as January were attempting to lure untested Ligue 1 players to the club in the . There's value to be had further afield, in my eyes.
Ross Gregory
Newcastle have to go all-in on Guehi and get the signing boxed off quickly this summer. At 24 years old, and with almost 150 Premier League appearances under his belt, he ticks a lot of boxes for Eddie Howe.
Guehi is a class act. He was one of England's standout players in the 2024 Euros, is quick, reads the game and can play off either foot. He will be a star at St James' Park and while they may need to pay a premium to land him, compared to perhaps cheaper alternatives elsewhere, he will end up being worth every penny.
Stuart Jamieson
An established Premier League player, a regular England international - and he's only 24. What's not to like? The price tag will have come down due to his contract situation and there'll be no period of adjustment to the English game as there inevitably is even with the best of overseas arrivals. It feels like one to get done quickly.
Treasure a season to remember
Newcastle United's 2024-25 campaign has to rank as one of the best in living memory. Not only did Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League by securing fifth place in the Premier League, but they ended their long wait for silverware by winning the Carabao Cup
Our celebrates an incredible campaign for the Magpies, with in-depth analysis, ratings and interviews of a season to remember.
Click here to buy online and have it delivered directly to your door, or you can purchase it in participating supermarkets, high street retailers, and independent newsagents from June 4, 2025. Online postage and packaging costs apply.