Newcastle have reportedly tabled a fourth offer for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
The Magpies are desperate to bolster their defensive ranks this summer and have shortlisted the England international as their top target, with Eddie Howe keen to work with the centre-back.
Palace are not willing to part ways with the ex-Chelsea star cheaply though, despite the defender having just two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park. Guehi is valued at £65million by Oliver Glasner’s side, a fee which Newcastle appear to be in touching distance of.
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According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies have submitted a fourth bid for the 24-year-old which is ‘closer’ to the £65m mark. Newcastle’s previous bid was worth £55m plus add-ons.
Palace have made it clear in negotiations that they do not want to lose Guehi and therefore have been quick to reject approaches from their Premier League rivals.
However, Newcastle’s new bid has not been rejected at this stage and is said to be under ‘consideration’. Thus, there is a growing feeling that an agreement is ‘close’.
The Magpies’ club-record signing is currently Alexander Isak following his £60m move from Real Sociedad in 2022, though Guehi is expected to claim that title if a deal is successfully negotiated by the clubs.
Palace owner Steve Parish spoke openly about the interest in his side’s No. 6 earlier this week, insisting that his side will demand ‘superstar money’ to part ways with the centre-back.
He told BBC Sport: “We’d like to keep hold of him. There’s a price and a situation where we might consider it. Somebody said he’s a superstar, so somebody has got to pay superstar money.
“Realistically, homegrown, 24 years old, sensational talent, somebody has to make it difficult for us. At the moment it isn’t. He’ll still be at Crystal Palace at the moment, but it’s not impossible. He is certainly not making anybody’s life difficult, his agents are decent people.
“It’s a very good situation. Whether he is here or not will make no difference to how he performs.” It remains to be seen whether Palace feel that Newcastle’s new offer is truly ‘superstar money’ or if they hold out for a fifth offer from the St James’ Park outfit.
