Crystal Palace make contingency plans for Marc Guehi exit as Newcastle edge closer to statement signing

Marc Guehi remains a priority target for Newcastle this summer.Marc Guehi remains a priority target for Newcastle this summer.
Marc Guehi remains a priority target for Newcastle this summer. | Getty Images
Crystal Palace’s latest transfer development could have a positive domino effect on Newcastle’s business

Crystal Palace are now showing concrete interest in VFL Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, who is believed to be manager Oliver Glasner’s first choice replacement for Marc Guehi if the England defender is to depart for pastures new this summer.

As it stands, Newcastle United are locked in talks with Crystal Palace over a deal for Guehi. The Magpies are in need of a centre back to bolster their options after long term injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. They see Guehi as the perfect upgrade to a backline that struggled at times last season and believe he is a player that is capable of taking the team back into the Champions League.

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The 23-year-old thrived for England in Euro 2024 and was a near ever present throughout the Three Lions run to the final, playing six of the seven games and only missing one due to suspension. Guehi complemented John Stones perfectly with his pace, composure and ability to cut out opposition attacks. He was lauded by the likes of Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and Gary Lineker during the group stage, and was in many people’s eyes one of the best performing Three Lions players at the tournament in Germany.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news that Newcastle were interested in Guehi at the start of the month. Since then the Magpies have had two separate bids rejected for the defender, with Sky Sports reporting that the most recent one, submitted yesterday, was in the region of £50m.

Sky Sports understands that the key factor in negotiations is Guehi’s remaining contract length at Selhurst Park. The centre back is just 18 months away from discussing pre-contracts with teams abroad and just two years away from leaving on a free. Crystal Palace are determined to hold out for £65m at this time, but there is a feeling from both parties that a deal is getting closer as the Magpies edge towards a potential club-record deal.

The Eagles already seemed resigned to losing Guehi this summer and have begun making contingency plans to sign Frenchman Maxence Lacroix a replacement in that position this summer, according to transfer guru Florian Plettenberg.

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It is also understood that the 24-year-old has already spoken to Oliver Glasner over the phone, with the Frenchman stating that he would be interested in leaving the Volkswagen Arena before the end of the transfer window.

Fellow transfer expert Fabrizio Romano understands that Lacroix is not the only name on Glasner’s radar and has also named Chelsea outcast Trevoh Chalobah as a potential target after he was deemed surplus to requirements by new Blues boss Enzo Maresca.

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