Newcastle United have sent a clear message to Crystal Palace that the Magpies are prepared to consider alternatives to top target Marc Guehi.
Crystal Palace, who have agreed to sell Joachim Andersen to Fulham for £30m, are still holding out for ‘superstar money’ for defensive partner Guehi. Although Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish could not imagine losing both centre-backs, the Eagles’ demands feel like a gamble of sorts with little more than a week left of the window.
Not only does Guehi have less than two years to run on his contract – the England international’s resale value is at an all-time high following his impressive performances at the Euros. As much as that serves as justification for Crystal Palace demanding, say, £70m, would the club realistically be able to command such a fee in a year’s time if the Eagles do not tie him down to a new deal? Particularly when PSR restrictions and possible sanctions have made a number of clubs more wary than ever in the transfer market.
It is rather telling that Dominic Solanke has been the most expensive Premier League signing of the window so far after Spurs agreed a deal worth up to £65m with Bournemouth to bring in the striker. While that is a significant sum, Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, Josko Gvardiol, Rasmus Hojlund, Kai Havertz and Dominik Szoboszlai were among a number of players who moved for fees ranging from £60m to £100m a year ago.
Guehi would fit into this bracket and persistent Newcastle have refused to give up on the defender after previously signing top targets like Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in the final days of windows in years gone by. However, that being said, the Magpies have also been actively looking at other options in case a breakthrough cannot be reached. Newcastle’s interest in Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba and Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi serves as a reminder of that to Crystal Palace after Eddie Howe warned the club would be prepared to walk away from a deal if an asking price was ‘too much’.
Tapsoba is an ambitious target, after only signing a new long-term deal with Bayer Leverkusen last year, and the defender readily admitted his contract included a ‘crazy’ release clause. Tapsoba had been looking forward to his first taste of Champions League football after winning the Bundesliga last season and said just last month that he ‘did not come here to move again after two years’.
Disasi, meanwhile, arrived at Monaco in the same summer window that Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell started working at the club in 2020. The Frenchman went on to pay tribute to Mitchell for being ‘great with me’ during his time with the Principality.
Disasi underwent hernia surgery earlier this summer and the 26-year-old was not yet deemed ready to take his place in the match day squad for Chelsea’s opening weekend defeat against Manchester City at a time when there has been yet more upheaval at Stamford Bridge.
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