EU rules could see Marc Guehi snub Newcastle United move for Champions League giant
Real Madrid have a track record of signing high-profile free transfers and Newcastle United target Marc Guehi could reportedly be next.
Real Madrid are reportedly waiting in the wings should Newcastle United target Marc Guehi run down his contract.
Toon chiefs infamously chased the centre-back last summer following his England heroics at Euro 2024. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish demanded “superstar money” for Guehi, who captained the club to FA Cup success last month.
Fast forward to the present and Newcastle are understood to retain their interest in the defender. Guehi has just one year left on his current deal and is staying coy about a possible extension.
The Magpies know Palace are not in as strong a negotiating position as they were a year ago going into the summer window. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar approaching 33 and 34 has made the position a top priority at St James’ Park.
Real Madrid interest and EU rules
The Sun claimed last month that Guehi could run down his deal, promising the Eagles another season before joining Real Madrid next year. Los Blancos have form for this in recent years, with Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold heading to the Bernabeu on free transfers.
Since Brexit, La Liga clubs are only permitted five non-EU players in their 25-man squad. English players fall under the non-EU category despite Premier League clubs playing in UEFA competition.
While Guehi represents England, he was born in Ivory Coast and holds a passport from the country. African players fall under the EU banner due to the Cotonou Agreement between the EU, Organisation of Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific States.
In effect, Guehi could sign for Madrid and not take up one of their five non-EU spots. The Champions League giants exploited a similar loophole with Jude Bellingham, eligible for an Irish passport through his paternal grandparents.
Marc Guehi on Crystal Palace future
The 24-year-old deflected speculation about his future when grilled by reporters in May. He said: “I'm still on a contract, so my focus is always at this football club. The most important thing is just doing the best I can and seeing where the future holds. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a Palace player.”
Marc Guehi loves Newcastle United factor
Speaking during England’s Euro 2024, Guehi named St James’ Park as his favourite English stadium. He said: “Schalke’s stadium was very good,” he told England’s media channel last summer. I’d say, in the Premier League, probably Newcastle. St James’ Park is just really, really loud in there, the fans make it really difficult when you go there so yeah, probably St James’ Park.”