Crystal Palace has turned down Newcastle’s second offer for England defender Marc Guehi, who is rumored to be available for around £50 million.
The teams are still in negotiations, and Newcastle is thinking about making another offer. Guehi’s remaining contract duration is a crucial component in the negotiations.
It will be 18 months before he talks about pre-contracts with foreign teams, and it will be two years before he leaves for free.
Guehi is worth £65 million to Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe has made centre-back a priority target this summer and Guehi fits the profile of what he is looking for – right-sided, but someone who can also play on the left.
The England international’s potential transfer fee would be considerable given his growing stature in the game and the fact he has two years left to run on his contract.
Newcastle still have to be conscious of PSR, meaning if Palace’s demands become too high they may have to rethink their pursuit of Guehi.
Sources with expertise in the transfer market have pointed towards Everton’s demands of upwards of £60m for his England team-mate Jarrad Branthwaite as the kind of price range for Guehi.
Branthwaite – also one of United’s targets – did not make the final Euros squad, while Guehi played all but one of England’s seven tournament matches in Germany.
If Guehi is to end up staying at Crystal Palace this coming season, it has not been ruled out that he could also sign a new contract at Selhurst Park.