Newcastle United hold talks over club-record transfer fee as Eddie Howe makes telling admission

Newcastle are understood to have had two bids rejected by Crystal Palace, who value Guehi at £65million. Agreeing to such fee would see the 24-year-old become the Magpies’ record signing, surpassing the £63m paid for Alexander Isak two years ago.

United remain without Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles until later this year as they recover from ACL injuries. Howe has Dan Burn and Lloyd Kelly to choose from on the left side while on the opposite side, recognised right-back Emil Krafth is the only back-up to Fabian Schar.

“We’re slightly light on numbers,” said Howe. “Emil has done a really good job during pre-season, playing inside from his normal full-back position, and he has the capability of doing that. We have very good players in there, but, naturally, when you lose those two players for the length of the time that we have, that was a big dent in the middle of our defence.

“Sven, just before his injury, was in a brilliant run of form. He had just scored his first goal for the club, and that was a real blow for us, and Jamaal, who stepped in for Sven was doing really well, and then we him as well. So two huge losses.

“I think the lads that came in at the back end of last season did very well to play consistently, and play consistently well, but it’s certainly an area we’re looking at.”

Newcastle have signed four new players so far - Kelly, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Will Osula - none of whom are expected to start the Premier League opener against Southampton in just under a week’s time. Lewis Hall is technically a new signing after his loan turned permanent for an initial £28million from Chelsea.

“My phone has not been as busy as I want it to be,” said Howe. “It’s always the way in pre-season, it’s a very busy time. The trip to Japan was intense as I’ve experienced and we’re just working to try and build the best squad possible to give the best chance of long-term success, try and make the right decisions and there is a lot of critical decisions to make - I’m really pleased so far.

“When I look at the squad with the majority of the players fit we look really, really strong.”

Although there is a focus on incomings, further outgoings are expected as United try and avoid another fire-sale. The club was forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively, in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).