Newcastle in ‘pole position’ to sign Man Utd target and former Chelsea player
Fresh off a historic season that saw them lift the Carabao Cup and secure a return to the Champions League, Newcastle United are wasting no time in their quest to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad.
Reports indicate the Magpies have surged ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign two of the Premier League’s most coveted talents – Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
The Tyneside club’s remarkable campaign, which included a fifth-place Premier League finish and their first major trophy in seven decades, has provided both the financial muscle and the sporting appeal to attract top-tier talent.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Newcastle’s recruitment team has identified the 25-year-old Mbeumo as their primary attacking target following his outstanding 20-goal season for Brentford.
The Cameroonian forward’s blistering pace and clinical finishing have made him one of the most dangerous wide attackers in the division, attracting attention from several top-six rivals.
While Manchester United reportedly opened talks with Brentford last week, Newcastle’s Champions League qualification and more settled project appear to have given them the edge.
The Red Devils’ focus has reportedly shifted towards Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, leaving the path clearer for Newcastle to pursue Mbeumo as their marquee attacking addition.
Equally crucial to Newcastle’s summer plans is their long-standing interest in Crystal Palace’s defensive linchpin Marc Guehi. The England international, who was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park last summer, has only enhanced his reputation during another impressive season at Selhurst Park.
His leadership at the heart of Palace’s defense was instrumental in their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, further underlining why he remains one of the most sought-after center-backs in English football.
Newcastle’s urgency in the transfer market reflects lessons learned from their previous Champions League campaign, where squad depth proved inadequate for competing on multiple fronts.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes emphasized this point after the final Premier League matchday, stating: “For next season, we are going to need more players to be honest with you because I think the squad is a little bit short.
We saw it last year when we played in the Champions League – we lost some players to injury and then it was busy for us.”
Eddie Howe has been vocal about the need for swift business this summer, warning that hesitation could see top targets slip through their fingers. “Speed is key for us,” the Newcastle manager stressed. “Good players don’t hang around for long. You can have a period where you think you’ve got time, but then look around very quickly and realize opportunities have passed.”
The potential acquisitions of Mbeumo and Guehi would address two critical areas for Newcastle while sending a clear message about their ambitions. Mbeumo’s Premier League-proven quality would provide genuine competition across the forward line, reducing the goalscoring burden on Alexander Isak.
Meanwhile, Guehi’s composure and leadership would significantly strengthen a defense that conceded 62 league goals last season – the worst record among the top seven clubs.
Financially, these moves would represent a statement of intent from Newcastle’s ownership. While Financial Fair Play considerations remain important, the club’s return to Europe’s elite competition and increased commercial revenues have provided greater flexibility in the transfer market.
The reported £62.5 million release clause for Cunha that has captured Manchester United’s attention demonstrates the level of investment now required to secure top Premier League talent – a market Newcastle are determined to compete in.
As the summer window progresses, Newcastle’s ability to secure these priority targets early could define their 2024/25 campaign. With Champions League football returning to St James’ Park and the club’s upward trajectory showing no signs of slowing, the Magpies have never been better placed to attract players of Mbeumo and Guehi’s caliber.
For Howe and his recruitment team, the challenge now is to convert this pole position into signed contracts, ensuring Newcastle build on last season’s successes rather than risk standing still.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle can indeed outmaneuver their wealthier rivals for these Premier League stars.
What’s certain is that after tasting silverware and European football, the Magpies hierarchy understands better than ever that sustained success requires continuous investment – and they appear ready to back that belief with decisive action in the transfer market.