Newcastle risk Liverpool stealing Marc Guehi as another transfer complication arises

Newcastle United risk losing out on key target Marc Guehi as interest from Premier League rival Liverpool intensifies.

It’s been the saga of the summer for Newcastle fans and yet they look no closer to snapping up Guehi’s signature.

The Magpies have seen four bids laughed off by Crystal Palace, who refuse to budge on their £70million valuation.

Palace have no reason to sell either. They’ve already banked close to £100m from the sales of Joachim Andersen and Michael Olise, who joined Fulham and Bayern Munich respectively.

Hope that Newcastle might land Guehi before Friday’s deadline hasn’t disappeared though, with The Independent reporting a deal could still be struck.

It’s also claimed that Liverpool have Guehi on their radar, although the Reds aren’t expected to pursue the defender’s signature this summer, because of the asking price slapped on his shoulders by Palace.

But it doesn’t mean they won’t be back next summer.

Liverpool might’ve found their perfect Virgil Van Dijk replacement in Guehi, with the current club captain out of contract at the end of the season.

Even if Van Dijk does pen a new deal at Anfield, the ex-Celtic and Southampton star will be 34 years old by the time next season gets underway, meaning Liverpool could be forced to reinforce that position.

As a result, it’s backed Newcastle into somewhat of a corner. Guehi has been heralded as the perfect option for the St. James’ Park outfit, as they look to make a return to the European stage.

But if they want to sign Guehi, it’s looking like it might have to be this season - something boss Eddie Howe was quizzed on over the weekend.

Newcastle served up a shaky defensive performance against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with the north east-based outfit lucky to have held on for a point during the 1-1 draw.

The presence of Guehi would almost certainly add to their backline, but when quizzed on the possibility off adding the £70m-rated star to their ranks, Howe replied with a coy three-word answer.

On the prospect of any potential late Newcastle business, he said: “Probably not, no.”

It’s a bitter blow for Newcastle, who now risk watching their highly-coveted transfer target stolen from underneath their noses by Liverpool when the transfer window rolls around next summer.