Eddie Howe said ‘no’ to £35m Paul Mitchell target after Marc Guehi bids failed

Behind Newcastle United’s united public facade, significant philosophical differences emerged between Eddie Howe and outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell over defensive recruitment strategies.

The latest revelation surrounding Jean-Clair Todibo’s proposed move exposes the depth of these diverging visions, with Howe’s insistence on specific player profiles ultimately overriding Mitchell’s recommendations during last summer’s window.

The breakdown occurred during Newcastle’s protracted pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, when Mitchell identified Todibo as an alternative solution after multiple bids for the England international failed.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Alex Crook revealed the French defender became a point of contention: “When the Marc Guehi deal fell through, Jean-Clair Todibo was Paul Mitchell’s idea of a Plan B… The coaching staff at Newcastle ruled that out because they had done those background checks.”

Howe’s resistance to the £35 million move for Todibo appears increasingly justified as the season unfolded. While Guehi flourished in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph, forming an impressive partnership at the heart of their defense, Todibo struggled to establish himself at West Ham.

The 25-year-old managed just 12 Premier League starts amid reported clashes with manager Julen Lopetegui, validating Newcastle’s concerns about his character and adaptability to English football.

This episode follows earlier disagreements over full-back acquisitions, where Mitchell reportedly believed Newcastle overpaid for both Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento – two signings that have since proven instrumental in the Magpies’ successful campaign.

The pattern suggests fundamental differences in valuation methods and player profiling between the recruitment team and coaching staff.

Howe’s meticulous approach to defensive signings focuses on specific technical and psychological attributes that fit his system.

His preference for Guehi – a ball-playing center-back with Premier League pedigree and leadership qualities – over Todibo’s more physical but less refined game demonstrates this philosophy in action.

The manager’s willingness to forego a “Plan B” rather than compromise on these standards speaks volumes about his conviction in building a particular defensive identity.

With Mitchell’s departure imminent, Newcastle’s summer transfer activity will now bear Howe’s fingerprints more distinctly.

The manager’s proven track record in identifying defenders who excel in his system – from Fabian Schär’s resurgence to Sven Botman’s seamless adaptation – suggests this increased influence could prove beneficial.

However, questions remain about whether the club can maintain the same breadth of scouting networks and negotiation leverage without a dedicated sporting director.

The Todibo case study offers valuable lessons for Newcastle’s future recruitment. While Mitchell’s continental connections provided access to emerging Ligue 1 talents, Howe’s insistence on Premier League-proven quality and specific character traits has repeatedly yielded better results.

As the Magpies prepare for another Champions League campaign, this tension between data-driven potential and system-specific suitability will likely define their approach to defensive reinforcements.

For now, Newcastle fans can take comfort in their manager’s discerning eye. In rejecting Todibo and holding out for Guehi – who remains a target this summer – Howe demonstrated the clarity of vision required to build a defense capable of competing at Europe’s highest level.

As the club enters a new phase of its recruitment structure, maintaining this balance between data analytics and coaching intuition will be crucial to sustaining their upward trajectory.