On Tuesday evening Newcastle United’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi took another big twist, one that perhaps suggested that a deal was becoming impossible.
Despite several bids, Newcastle are struggling to agree a fee with Palace for Guehi, who Steve Parish is not willing to sell cheaply.
Interestingly, Newcastle could still spend £100m before the month is over, and they could do so without being in breach of PSR.
That being said, Eddie Howe’s chances of landing Guehi appeared to take a big blow on Tuesday when Fulham agreed a fee to sign his centre-back partner, Joachim Andersen.
The news came via reliable journalist David Ornstein, and many then assumed that meant that Guehi was now going to stay in south London – Palace surely can’t afford to lose both.
Oliver Glasner is building an exciting project at Selhurst Park, and has already lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich this summer too – another name linked with Newcastle.
That being said, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has just gone against the grain and perhaps delivered some good news for supporters on Tyneside.
Newcastle’s Marc Guehi move could still be on despite Joachim Andersen leaving Crystal Palace
Downie shared his update late on Tuesday evening after the Andersen news had broken elsewhere.
And although most felt as if Newcastle’s pursuit of Guehi would end there and then, the journalist protested otherwise.
Downie shared: “Fulham agreeing a fee with Crystal Palace for Joachim Andersen is unlikely to have an impact on Newcastle’s pursuit of Marc Guéhi, I’m told.
“NUFC’s approach remains on the table, and it’s up to the two clubs to try & reach a compromise.
“The England defender is of optimum value to Palace right now, with two years left on his Eagles contract. That value will only fall.
“But Newcastle are concurrently looking at alternatives and they will sign a CB before the closure of the window.”
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Of course, it is important to remember Guehi’s contract situation, which does weaken Palace’s position in some regard.
Guehi reportedly only has two-years left on his deal which would mean that the south Londoners would struggle to recoup a similar fee this time next year unless the England international agreed to an extension.
All that being said, Newcastle are now looking at a Chelsea centre-back in case their pursuit of Guehi does fall through.