Defender set for Crystal Palace medical with Marc Guehi Newcastle United transfer decision imminent
Crystal Palace are set to sign Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix ahead of making a final decision on Marc Guehi’s future.
Newcastle United are still hoping to sign Guehi before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline, however a move has been complicated by a knee injury for Chadi Riad.
The Eagles have already lost a centre-back in Joachim Andersen after he was sold to Fulham for £30m last week. Lacroix is set to arrive as his replacement in an £18m transfer. He is due in London in the next 24 hours to finalise the move.
Newcastle have had multiple bids - as high as £65million - have been turned down by Palace. Talks over a £70m package are understood to have taken place.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe was unable to give an update on transfers immediately after last night’s 4-3 penalty shootout win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
Guehi is Howe’s top defensive target with negotiations left to new sporting director Paul Mitchell. Palace chairman Steve Parish recently labelled Guehi as a “superstar” and wants the fee to reflect that.
The 24-year-old has played in all three of Palace’s opening matches this campaign, captaining the side against Brentford and West Ham United in the Premier League, and then in the Carabao Cup against Norwich City on Tuesday.
Guehi’s appearance versus Norwich - which means he’d be cup tied for next round if he were to move to St James’ Park - came less than 24 hours after suggestions that a deal was close.
An update on the England defender’s future is expected imminently given that the window shuts in just under 36 hours time.