Deadline day is here, but it might not deliver what Newcastle United fans are quite hoping for.
The Magpies have made four new signings this summer – five if you include Lewis Hall’s permanent switch from Chelsea – but have failed to make any ‘major’ breakthroughs as such.
Asides from incomings, outgoings are expected across the course of the day.
A tiresome Marc Guehi saga
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle, as it stands, are unlikely to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi with negotiations at an impasse.
The Magpies have had multiple bids, as high as £65million including add-ons, rejected by Palace, who want £70m for the England international. Talks have also been complicated by a knee injury to centre-back Chadi Riad.
Palace have already lost Joachim Anderson having sold him to Fulham for £30million last week, although are set to replace him with Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix after agreeing a £17.5m fee.
Guehi has started all three of the Eagles’ fixtures this campaign, captaining his side against Brentford and West Ham United in the Premier League, and in the Carabao Cup versus Norwich City on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old hasn’t and is unlikely to force an exit, while Palace have shown they are unwilling to lower their demands. And for that reason, Guehi ending the day as a Newcastle player is on the brink of collapse.
What about alternatives to Guehi?
Mohamed Simakan of Leipzig in action during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)Mohamed Simakan of Leipzig in action during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Mohamed Simakan of Leipzig in action during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
United have been linked with potential alternatives to Guehi but they too are unlikely to join.
RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan is set to move to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr for £42m, while Edmond Tapsoba has publicly committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen.
Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea and Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, who was included in the PSR-driven agreement that would have taken Anthony Gordon to Liverpool, have also been touted. It appears, however, that it is Guehi or bust for United.
Oh not another… goalkeeper
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There could be movement in the goalkeeping department with the club currently carrying five senior options in Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos and Mark Gillespie.
Vlachodimos was only recently signed for an undisclosed fee as part of the agreement that saw Elliot Anderson move to Nottingham Forest as the Magpies battled to avoid breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
However, it is being suggested that the Greek could leave on loan after being left out of the opening three matchday squads against Southampton, AFC Bournemouth, and Forest. Anderlecht were credited with an interest earlier this week.
Dubravka’s future has been uncertain all summer after entering the final 12 months of his contract.
The departure of Vlachodimos or Dubravka, or indeed both, could see Newcastle revisit a deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, as per Mail Online.
The Magpies first attempted to sign the 21-year-old in mid-June when the Clarets rejected a £16million bid, instead demanding north of £20m. Trafford had reportedly agreed personal terms before Vlachodimos and Ruddy arrived.
Getting rid of the ‘deadwood’
Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Southampton. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Southampton. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Southampton. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser have been training away from the first-team group ahead of their next next moves.
Hayden, who has two years left on his contract, spent the second-half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers and is attracting Championship interest.
Fraser, meanwhile, had been expected to re-join Southampton after playing a key role in their promotion back to the Premier League but Russel Martin said previously: “I am not sure that will happen. That’s down to Newcastle. He did brilliantly for us last season, and I love him as a person and a player.
“He was really popular with the dressing room, fans and staff, but we are nowhere near a deal for Ryan. The longer it goes on, it looks increasingly unlikely.”
The former Scotland international has one year left on his contract and had hoped to agree a mutual termination. However, both parties have been unable to agree terms.
Unlike Hayden and Fraser, Jamal Lewis was re-integrated back into the squad for pre-season after returning from Watford but hasn’t been seen since. He too is attracting loan interest.
Loans, loans, loans
Alex Murphy has emerged as a potential loan target for Championship side Portsmouth this summer.Alex Murphy has emerged as a potential loan target for Championship side Portsmouth this summer.
Alex Murphy has emerged as a potential loan target for Championship side Portsmouth this summer. | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle are weighing up loan offers for Republic of Ireland youth international Alex Murphy after he made two Premier League appearances last campaign.
Joe White and Garang Kuol picked up injuries in pre-season and there has been no update since in regards to their health. If fit, both will be in line for temporary exits or in White’s case, a permanent one with his contract expiring next summer.
There is also Harrison Ashby, who isn’t thought to be in Howe’s plans for the upcoming campaign. The right-back spent last season at Swansea City having joined from West Ham United in January 2023.
Meanwhile, the likes of Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson are expected to stay put, despite a summer full of speculation regarding their futures.
