Newcastle United ‘open talks’ to sign 17-time England international in ‘significant coup’

Newcastle United have emerged as the leading contenders to sign in-demand England centre back Marc Guehi this summer.

The Athletic’s transfer guru David Ornstein has today revealed that the Magpies have become the first club to ‘open talks’ with Crystal Palace over a potential deal for the 24-year-old defender in what would be regarded as a significant coup for the North East club.

Palace are thought to have received Newcastle’s approach earlier this week and if agreements can be reached then it would mark a huge statement of intent for Eddie Howe’s men as they target a return to Europe after a seventh place finish in the Premier League last season.

Newcastle were among the top scorers in the league last term as their 85 goals eclipsed Kevin Keegan’s 1995/96 entertainers team, but their defensive record proved to be their achilles heel as they struggled to cope with long-term injuries to the likes of goalkeeper Nick Pope, centre backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.

Botman and Lascelles have both been ruled out for long periods of this season with ACL injuries, and with no timeline set on their return it is paramount that the Magpies sign a defender of high quality to provide competition to Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and summer signing Lloyd Kelly.

Guehi’s potential arrival would not only help with competition, it would also be a huge upgrade on some of Newcastle’s existing options. 

The Crystal Palace man was one of England’s outstanding performers in Euro 2024 and was a near ever present alongside John Stones as the Three Lions reached their first ever final at a major tournament on foreign soil, keeping clean sheets against Serbia and Slovenia along the way.

The Chelsea academy graduate has played in the Premier League since joining Crystal Palace in 2021 and has already amassed 98 top-flight appearances - including 25 last season as the Eagles recorded both their highest league finish and highest points tally inside the Premier League era.

Guehi is under contract at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2026 but reports suggest that he is reluctant to extend his stay beyond that point as he seeks to try and challenge himself at a higher level.

The defender is renowned for his excellent leadership, defensive organisation skills, speed, strength and ability to win aerial duels. He has served as captain of Crystal Palace for large periods of last season and would likely add to Howe’s leadership group of Lascelles, Burn, Tripper and Fabian Schar.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool had all been heavily linked with the 17-time England international but as it stands Newcastle are the only club to have shown concrete interest in the 24-year-old. Guehi previously expressed his affiliation for St James Park by describing it as the best ground he had played in.

While his performances in training also attracted huge praise from Anthony Gordon, who described him as the England player he would most like to play alongside in the future.