Newcastle facing Malick Thiaw battle if Crystal Palace stand firm on Marc Guehi

Newcastle have submitted a third bid for Marc Guehi worth £55m plus £5m in add-ons - but the club won't wait forever and are exploring other options in case Crystal Palace reject our latest offer, according to The Athletic.

There's hope a deal will be agreed that sees us land our top target, but one name that's been heavily linked prior to our pursuit of Guehi is Malick Thiaw.

Sami Mokbel - The Mail's chief reporter who has been covering on our bids for Guehi ovr the past week - reveals that the AC Milan defender remains an option, but states that the German international is in no rush to leave the San Siro, where he would be playing Champions League football for the Serie A giants this season.

This could complicate any move for the 23-year-old if Newcastle fail to land Guehi and reignite their long-term interest in Thiaw, although I'm sure the club will have a list of alternatives.

The Mail also state that Palace are prepared to offer their captain a new deal that would make him 'one of the best paid players in the club's history' - he's currently got only two years left on his deal - but it's believed he is keen on a move to St James' Park.

Fingers crossed our third bid worth £60m does the job and we avoid switching targets - either genuinely or in a bid to force Palace's hand.

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