Mark Douglas has issued an update Newcastle’s transfer plans for the i, reporting that our never-ending pursuit of a right-footed centre-back is finally reaching an end game.
With Crystal Palace yet to budge on their £70m demands for Marc Guehi, he reports that we’ve held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over Edmond Tapsoba. However, the Bundesliga winners are demanding big money for the Burkina Faso star, who would not come much cheaper than the Eagles captain.
Douglas also reveals that we’ve discussed Chelsea’s Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah in recruitment meetings, along with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. All three are expected to be considerably cheaper than Guehi or Tapsoba, meaning there would then be more room to manoeuvre to also bring in a new right winger.
Whoever we end up signing, the i report that the pressure is cranking up on new sporting director Paul Mitchell, who has lead our pursuit of Marc Guehi and handled talks with Crystal Palace as he searches for his first major first-team signing since landing the job six weeks ago.
Pressure growing on Paul Mitchell as #nufc start to move on high calibre Marc Guehi alternatives.
⚫ Tapsoba talks underway – but @bayer04_en won't sell on the cheap 💰
⚪ Guehi dialogue & deal not dead 🚫
⚫ Still looking at 'project players' too 👀— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) August 21, 2024
I can’t help but wonder if it’s the club pumping out all these “Guehi alternative” rumours in the hope that Palace think they’re going to lose the deal and compromise. Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like we saw the same tactic with the João Pedro story right before we signed Isak.
I hope we are actually seriously looking at alternatives as I just don’t see Guehi happening. If we do end up paying what Palace want we’ve done ourselves a massive disservice because clubs will know they can milk us going forward. I’m struggling to feel positive about any of this right now.
Ian(Quote)
If we ever get Guehi it will be in January when the price comes down, but there will be more competition.
Hope we have someone else lined up as he is not worth the money.
We had an awful season defensively last season with our LHS letting us down and Trippier not at his best Pope and Botman out with injuries…. What excuses did Palace have at the back with no European football with a similar goals record conceded 4 less, Guehi and Anderson? so he can’t be that good.
Joseph(Quote)
Squad players from competitors or better teams who aren’t a whole lot better (at best) than those already at the club are not elevating nufc to elite contenders. Tapsoba feels unlikely
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy – still happy to discuss your questioning my comments if you explain what you meant mate 👍🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Last seasons defence let in the roughly same number of goals as Chelsea ,villa,spurs and Brighton .
Without botman and injuries to lascalles , Tino and Trips !
Totally ridiculous all this moaning and dooming .. guei overpriced and overhyped . Gomez a walking injury list , chalaboa not good enough for chelsea!.. tasoba and disasior thiaw good if the price is£40 plus
Mike(Quote)