Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle “keen on signing” £70m “tank” with same agent as Gordon
The relentless march of Newcastle United’s footballing revolution shows no signs of slowing down as the Magpies prepare an audacious £70 million summer swoop for Crystal Palace defensive colossus Marc Guehi.
Fresh from ending their 70-year trophy drought with EFL Cup glory and currently sitting third in the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s side are determined to cement their status among England’s elite with statement signings that match their soaring ambitions.
Newcastle’s remarkable campaign has already delivered several milestones – transforming Alexander Isak into one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, captivating neutrals with their swashbuckling style, and now standing on the cusp of Champions League qualification.
Saturday’s comprehensive 3-0 demolition of Ipswich Town, featuring goals from Isak, Dan Burn and emerging talent William Osula, demonstrated the squad’s depth and resilience following their recent setback at Aston Villa.
Howe’s post-match comments revealed both satisfaction with the response and awareness of the challenges ahead. “This will go down to the wire,” the Newcastle boss cautioned, while praising Osula’s breakthrough moment.
“He’s a player of rich potential – that goal could be a real confidence catalyst.” Such measured optimism characterizes a club balancing present success with future planning, knowing Champions League football would exponentially increase their pulling power in the transfer market.
Enter Marc Guehi – the 23-year-old defensive linchpin who has emerged as Newcastle’s primary defensive target after four rejected bids last summer, the highest reaching £65 million.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies remain undeterred in their pursuit, despite facing stiff competition from Tottenham and Guehi’s childhood club Chelsea.
The England international’s stellar performances at Euro 2024, where he earned Team of the Tournament honors, only enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most complete young defenders.
Former youth teammate Josef Bursik’s description of Guehi as “an absolute tank” and “a brick wall” captures the physical dominance that has made him so coveted.
His combination of old-school defensive grit and modern ball-playing ability perfectly fits Howe’s tactical blueprint – a defender capable of starring in both a high line and deep block, comfortable in possession under pressure, and possessing the leadership qualities Newcastle crave.
The potential acquisition represents more than just a defensive upgrade; it signals Newcastle’s strategic shift towards recruiting proven Premier League talent at peak ages rather than gambling on potential.
Guehi’s existing partnership with England teammates Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon (who share his agency representation) could facilitate seamless integration, while his experience in a progressive Crystal Palace side mirrors the tactical demands at St James’ Park.
Financial Fair Play considerations mean Champions League qualification could prove decisive in funding such ambitious moves. The additional revenue would allow Newcastle to meet Palace’s valuation while continuing to strengthen other areas, creating a virtuous cycle of sporting and financial progress.
However, even without Europe’s elite competition, the Magpies’ project remains compelling – as evidenced by their ability to attract Bruno Guimarães and Isak during their previous rebuild phase.
Guehi’s potential arrival would complete a defensive unit already showing signs of maturity. Alongside Sven Botman’s composure, Fabian Schär’s experience, and Burn’s aerial dominance, the Palace defender could form the bedrock of a backline capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
At 23, his prime years align perfectly with Newcastle’s projected growth curve under Howe’s meticulous guidance.
As the season reaches its climax, Newcastle find themselves in an enviable position – competing for Champions League football while planning summer reinforcements from a position of strength.
The pursuit of Guehi exemplifies their new reality: no longer Premier League upstarts, but established contenders shopping in the market’s elite tier. Whether this particular transfer saga concludes successfully or not, the ambition behind it confirms Newcastle’s intentions to remain at English football’s top table for years to come.
The coming weeks will determine both their European fate and transfer budget, but one thing appears certain – Newcastle’s transformative journey under Saudi ownership has only just begun.
Players like Guehi represent the next phase: not just building a competitive squad, but assembling one capable of sustaining success at the highest level. For a club that waited seven decades for tangible success, the future suddenly looks brighter than even the most optimistic Geordie could have imagined.