Internal talks: Newcastle targeting £70m “tank” who’d be a better signing than Wissa

Newcastle United began their pre-season preparations with a convincing 4-0 victory behind closed doors against Carlisle United.

That match saw Sean Longstaff open the scoring before Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, and young talent Ben Parkinson each found the back of the net.

But the momentum from that win quickly evaporated when the Magpies faced Celtic in Glasgow, where over 10,000 Newcastle supporters watched their side suffer a humbling 4-0 defeat.

Among several mistakes, goalkeeper Nick Pope was at the center of one of the afternoon’s most embarrassing moments, gifting Celtic their second goal in uncharacteristic fashion.

The next challenge for Eddie Howe’s team is a high-profile fixture against Arsenal in Singapore, scheduled for Sunday. Anticipation is building around whether a new arrival could be unveiled before the team steps onto the pitch at the National Stadium.

In the current transfer window, Newcastle made headlines with the acquisition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55 million, making him the second-most expensive player in the club’s history—only behind Alexander Isak.

Meanwhile, the club’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements continues. A £25 million bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was turned down, but developments indicate that progress is being made.

Wissa recently left Brentford’s training camp in Portugal to settle his future, and Newcastle are confident of closing the deal. The 19-goal Premier League forward would be a notable upgrade on Callum Wilson, who was released earlier this summer.

Still, the club seems poised to revisit a more ambitious pursuit—Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi. According to Chris Waugh of The Athletic, Newcastle remain seriously interested in the England international and have discussed his name in recent recruitment meetings.

Last summer, the Magpies submitted four bids for Guéhi, the highest reaching £60 million, only to be met with firm resistance from Palace owner Steve Parish, who made it clear that only “superstar money” would force their hand. The Eagles reportedly value the centre-back at £70 million.

Considering Newcastle’s heavy fixture list in the upcoming season, including Champions League action, defensive reinforcements are more necessity than luxury.

Last season, Dan Burn and Fabian Schär were over-relied upon, especially after Sven Botman missed extended time due to injury. Here’s a look at their workload from last season:

Newcastle United Centre-Back Usage 2024/25 Season

Source: FBref.com

The above data shows how heavily the club leaned on Burn and Schär. With Champions League commitments looming, adding a high-caliber defender like Guéhi isn’t just ideal—it’s essential.

Guéhi is widely praised, with former England boss Gareth Southgate calling his recent tournament performances “exceptional.” Former teammate Josef Buršík once labeled him an “absolute tank,” and analysts continue to highlight his composure, athleticism, and ability to distribute from the back.

His former manager Roy Hodgson even predicted Guéhi could one day captain the England national team.

Let’s compare him directly with Dan Burn, who he would likely replace as first choice:

Marc Guéhi vs. Dan Burn – Premier League Metrics 2024/25 (Per 90 Minutes)

Source: Squawka

The numbers suggest Guéhi offers significant improvements across key defensive categories, particularly in ground duels, recoveries, and forward progression.

While Burn has the edge in aerial challenges, Guéhi’s all-around game is far more balanced and well-suited to a high-press, possession-based system like Howe’s.

Although Yoane Wissa would provide attacking depth and experience, especially with Isak as the focal point, his impact would likely be rotational.

With Isak widely regarded among the top four centre-forwards globally—alongside Haaland, Kane, and Lewandowski—Newcastle’s attack is in safe hands. The signing of William Osula, a powerful young forward praised for his acceleration and potential, already provides a capable understudy to the Swede.

In contrast, Guéhi would walk straight into the starting eleven and provide the type of defensive assurance and technical quality that could define Newcastle’s season. If the Magpies want to seriously compete on all fronts, securing his signature should be their top priority.