Newcastle close to Marc Guéhi deal with Crystal Palace defender keen on move

Newcastle are cautiously optimistic Marc Guéhi will start the season as a key component of Eddie Howe’s squad. Negotiations with Crystal Palace over the England defender’s proposed £60m-plus move are believed to be progressing well and, crucially, Guéhi has indicated he is extremely keen on relocating to St James’ Park.

The 24-year-old is due to rejoin Palace’s first-team squad for pre-season training on Wednesday after his exertions with England at this summer’s European Championship in Germany but could soon be rerouted to Tyneside.

Although an agreement is still to be reached with Palace and, until certain details are finalised, the move remains in danger of being hijacked, Newcastle are in touching distance of completing a marquee signing.

Guéhi was one of the best performers in Gareth Southgate’s side at Euro24 and is regarded as an ideal long-term partner for Sven Botman at St James’ Park. With Botman recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament repair, recruiting a central defender has been a priority for Howe and Newcastle’s manager will hope that a deal for Oliver Glasner’s key Palace defender could be completed this weekend.

Although Palace rejected Newcastle’s opening bid last week, it seems they are minded to cash in on a player with two years remaining on his contract and an apparent desire to depart.

A transfer north-east at a moment when Guéhi has attracted a clutch of admirers, Liverpool included, would represent quite a coup for Paul Mitchell, Newcastle’s new sporting director. It would also reassure Howe of the Saudi Arabian-owned club’s ambition at a time when he looms large on the Football Association’s shortlist to replace Southgate as England manager.