Marc Guehi saga takes new twist on Tuesday night - What on earth is going on?

Last night, it was reported that Newcastle and Crystal Palace had resumed talks on Monday over a deal for Marc Guehi, with The Mail's Sami Mokbel revealing that there was a 'significant chance' our latest offer would be accepted.

With that in mind, all eyes were on Palace's Carabao Cup clash with Norwich City tonight, where Guehi not only starts but captains the side, meaning he'd be cup-tied should Newcastle sign the 24-year-old over the final three days of the transfer window.

He is a Palace player and they have every right to play him while he is, but this news raises more serious doubts over the current state of play, despite all the noises that we're 'edging closer' and 'confident' he'll sign.

Not only does it make you question how long it's taking the club to wrap up this deal, it confirms that we'll now have to pay a club-record fee for a player who won't be able to represent the club in the Carabao Cup this season should he sign.

Perhaps this won't be a deciding factor for Newcastle, but it makes you wonder what this means and how we'll react. Considering our trophy drought, the money we'd have to pay - at least £70m according to reports - and our lack of fit centre-backs, it is far from ideal if we still plan to sign him.

It also looks like Palace are having us on. Again, they have every right while he remains a Palace player, but it's a really bad look for Newcastle, who are being mugged off at this stage.

It'll mean nothing if we don't overcome Nottingham Forest tomorrow night, but the entire saga is becoming a bit of a farce at this point.

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