Marc Guehi’s move to Newcastle has been going on now for nearly three weeks, with the two clubs involved not able to reach an agreement.
Now, with just over a week left of the transfer window, we seem no closer to a resolution than we did at the start. Wednesday night sparked yet more speculation that the deal was “edging closer” with Mike McGrath still stating the two parties are just £5m apart, yet this is exactly what we were told last week when our fourth bid – worth £65m – was rejected?
Now, we want to set the record straight. We would be thrilled if Marc Guehi signed for Newcastle, he’s a great player, and would add so much to our backline for many years to come… however, this entire situation has gone on so long that it’s starting to feel like a lose-lose situation. Let me explain.
If Newcastle sign Marc Guehi, it’s going to cost £70m to do so. That would make him a record signing, which is some ask for a central defender, especially when Newcastle are also badly in need of a right-sided attacker this window (I’m aware he’s right footed but he’s starred for Palace an England on the left). So while Newcastle sign a “superstar” defender, they do so at the sort of fee that can rarely be justified. Not many players go for these sorts of fees, and very few have proved worth that value, Virgil Van Dijk is probably the only real example.
On top of that, Transfermarkt value him at £38m. That’s not always accurate, but that mixed in with his contract situation makes £70m feel like a big overpay on the back of his Euro 2024 heroics.
Then, the alternative is we don’t sign Guehi, we walk away but we still waste weeks of effort. While Newcastle still have over a week to sign an alternative, who knows how ready Newcastle are. Mitchell is new to the role, he’s barely had time to settle, with reports from iNews suggesting that Guehi is seen as an “olive branch” deal between Mitchell and Howe.
From a PSR point of view, £70m is also a lot of money. Based on a recent piec from Mark Douglas at the i, we “think” Newcastle have around £100m to spend, ignoring sales (of which we’ve made none), which won’t leave much left over for a winger. A possible loan-to-buy for someone like Madueke could work, but it’s unknown how willing Chelsea even are to let him go.
At the end of the day, there’s still time for Newcastle to do something, but with a clear need for a defender and a right winger in this window, time is running out to make things click and give Howe the team he needs.
I’ve tried to stay away from offering a running commentary on this but according to my lovely colleague @mcgrathmike Newcastle and Palace are edging towards an agreement for Marc Guehi #nufc https://t.co/SdZb4ptBYa
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) August 21, 2024
It was time to move on when they turned down the reported £50m.
Peaco(Quote)
I’m with Kenny (R), whatever he means:
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
david harcus(Quote)
There’s an olive branch and then the whole feckin tree.
It’s time to move on from Guehi, I honestly couldn’t care if it was to placate Howie we don’t pay over the odds to do so.
Let’s move to different targets and get them over the line sharpish.
David(Quote)