Newcastle United are pessimistic about signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace before Friday’s transfer deadline.
According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, the Magpies are unlikely to pull off a deal for the England international.
Newcastle have made several attempts to sign Guehi, but Palace are determined not to sell him this summer unless their £70 million valuation is met.
Eddie Howe wants Guehi only, and there is a chance that Newcastle may not sign any other defender before tomorrow’s deadline.
Steinberg says that “sources are saying” the deal is unlikely at this stage. At the same time, the “danger” for Palace is that Guehi has two years left on his current deal at Selhurst Park, and he won’t sign a contract extension.
The Eagles will have to sell him at a reduced price next summer.
Steinberg wrote for The Guardian: “Newcastle are increasingly pessimistic about their chances of signing Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace.
“They have been in talks over a deal for the England centre back but are yet to meet Palace’s asking price of at least £70m. Sources are saying that the deal is very unlikely to happen as it stands.
“The danger for Palace is that Guéhi has two years left on his deal and will not sign an extension. They risk having to sell him for a lower fee in a year.”
Keith Downie of Sky Sports adds that Newcastle have grown “tired” of trying to negotiate a deal with Crystal Palace for Guehi.
The Magpies offered £65 million upfront, plus another £5 million as add-ons for the England international, but Steve Parish has refused to accept that offer.
While the deal is not completely dead, Downie says that Newcastle chiefs are unlikely to make another attempt. They feel the club made a fantastic offer, but for Palace, that was still not enough.
Newcastle will be without Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman for a major part of the season, and they badly need another centre-back.
Having said that, Howe has stressed the importance of adding quality over quantity and probably that’s why he may not look to sign other alternatives.
Meanwhile, Craig Hope has claimed that Newcastle are unlikely to offload Miguel Almiron, who is being chased by Fulham this summer.
