'Very strange' - Fresh Crystal Palace claim after Newcastle United club-record Marc Guehi talks
Former Newcastle United striker Andy Cole is ‘very surprised’ at Crystal Palace’s decision to turn down club-record bids for Marc Guehi.
Newcastle identified Guehi as their number one target, submitting multiple offers - one as high as £65million including add-ons, which represented a club-record transfer for the Magpies and a sale for Palace.
Talks between the two clubs continued right up until the second last day of the transfer window but negotiations stalled as the Eagles’ demands reportedly exceeded £70m. Eddie Howe’s side opted against bringing someone else, leaving supporters frustrated at the lack of signings.
“I’m very surprised to be fair,” Cole agreed. ”It looks as if they did have money to spend considering that they bid a couple of times for Marc Guehi and ultimately, I’m very, very surprised in Crystal Palace because Marc has less than two years remaining on his contract, so if you want £70m for a player and a team’s bid £65, including add-ons for them, then why would you turn that down because you’re going to eventually get £70m anyway. However, that’s all dependent on whether reports were correct regarding the size of the offer on the table.
“It’s very strange because if Marc’s still at Crystal Palace next summer, then he could have one year remaining on his deal and they’re not going to be able to demand that amount of money for him in that scenario.”
United brought in four new faces in total with only Lloyd Kelly, a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth, making his debut so far. Will Osula, a £15m signing from Sheffield United, has been an unused substitute in all four opening matches while goalkeepers John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos also haven’t featured.
Cole told Betfred: “It is disappointing that Newcastle didn’t do more business during the summer and it’s crazy to know that they have all that financial resource and they can’t actually use it. I think that’s really cheesing them off at the moment and if they were bought before PSR and FFP came into play, then they would have spent a hell of a lot of money.
“However, I think Newcastle will be okay. They look sound enough.”
Despite the lack of signing, Howe’s side are unbeaten at the start of the new campaign, collecting seven points from nine in the Premier League and advancing into the third round of the Carabao Cup where they will play League Two side AFC Wimbledon away.