Marc Guehi to Newcastle remains in the balance as developments in December could decide transfer
Marc Guehi to Newcastle was one of the transfer sagas of the summer.
This deal was on and off more times than a light switch during the transfer window, and even though the window is closed, there’s still some chat about this potential move happening.
Indeed, The Magpies are still keen on Guehi, and, at one point in the summer, it did look like Guehi would join Newcastle.
Newcastle could go back in for Guehi in January as he enters the final 18 months of his Crystal Palace contract, but, according to Simon Bird, speaking to The Mirror, this deal hinges on the form of another Newcastle player.
Indeed, Bird says that Newcastle’s search for a centre-back largely depends on the return of Sven Botman and the form he shows once he’s back fit.
Marc Guehi deal depends on Sven Botman
According to Bird, any move for Guehi in January depends on how Sven Botman returns from injury.
Newcastle have the resources to do a deal for Guehi, but they need to decide whether or not a new centre-back signing is necessary if Botman gets back to his best.
“There are suggestions that Newcastle could resurrect the Marc Guehi deal. However, a lot of that depends on how Sven Botman comes back to fitness,” Bird said.
“He is due back from his big injury in early December and if Botman hits the ground running and becomes the player he was again he’s huge to the team. He’s a fantastic defender so that could relieve the pressure on signing a defender.”
Guehi would replace Fabian Schar
If there’s one thing you can’t have enough of in football, it’s quality centre-backs.
Indeed, depth in that area can be the difference between winning the league and finishing outside of the top four – just look at Liverpool in the 2020/21 season.
Even if Botman returns to his best straight away, there should still be room for Guehi at Newcastle.
Fabian Schar isn’t getting any younger, and his future isn’t secure either.
Indeed, Schar’s contract situation remains unresolved, and Newcastle may be wise to bring in a replacement sooner rather than later.
Schar is a great player, but Guehi has the potential to be on a different level entirely, and as Newcastle look to evolve and progress their squad, these are the types of signings they need to be looking at making.
