Crystal Palace are set to reject a fourth bid from Newcastle for defender Marc Guehi, believed to be in the region of his £65m valuation.
Newcastle’s most recent offer came inclusive of add-ons, though the structure of the deal was never agreed with Palace. The Magpies’ current record transfer stands at £63m for Alexander Isak.
Negotiations continued after the Magpies’ third offer, understood to be £55m up-front plus £5m add-ons, was turned down by the Eagles earlier this week.
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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish insists Newcastle must pay ‘superstar money’ if they want to lure Guehi away from Selhurst Park
The England international has been Eddie Howe’s No 1 centre-back target.
On Tuesday, Palace chairman Steve Parish told Newcastle to pay a premium price to sign the 24-year-old, claiming “if you want a superstar player, you need to pay superstar money”.
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Parish believes the ex-Chelsea defender is a “generational talent” who the club will fight to retain this summer ahead of the deadline closing on August 30.
Speaking on Friday, Newcastle boss Howe did not directly respond to Parish’s comments or name Guehi when asked, but said: “What you don’t want do is make a signing and then in three or four months time think it hasn’t really kicked us on.
“The difference makers are what we are looking for, players that can take us forward. We have to just avoid just adding numbers at all costs in my opinion.
“I’m not in control of every aspect of the deal, and that is fine. There are lots of different ways to work. I don’t comment on transfers out of respect to the other club. “
Guehi: I can put attention to one side
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Marc Guehi discusses how he is happy to be back playing football at Crystal Palace and is eager to get the season under way despite a busy summer
Guehi insists he is ignoring speculation over his future, amid interest from Newcastle, and is only focused on Palace’s opening Premier League game at Brentford on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Asked whether he can put the attention to one side ahead of Palace’s game on Sunday, Guehi exclusively told Sky Sports News: “I can, I’ve been doing it my whole life really. I’ve never really been one to be looking too much into myself, if that makes sense.
“But I think it’s always important to focus on what truly is important, and that’s the game at the weekend, making sure that for the rest of the season as a team we’re at it.”
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner hails the attitude that captain Marc Guehi has shown during his time at the club and says it is significant that three Palace players made it to tournament finals this summer
Guehi said of Parish’s “superstar” comments: “Humbled, humbled by that. For someone that is such a big part of this football club, for him to say something like that is amazing, for someone like me.
“I’m not sure I’m a superstar, but some really kind words from the chairman, so it’s really nice to hear that.”
A key factor in talks between Palace and Newcastle is Guehi’s remaining contract length.
He is 18 months away from discussing pre-contracts with teams abroad and two years away from leaving on a free.
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Take a look at Guehi’s best bits from last season in the Premier League for Palace
But Guehi, who starred for England in their run to the Euro 2024 final, insists he is happy at Selhurst Park as speculation continues to mount around his long-term future.
Asked whether he is happy and enjoying life, he responded: “I am. Honestly, it’s good to be back here, it’s good to be back playing again amongst team-mates.
“A nice little run-out in front of the fans again [started Palace’s 1-1 pre-season home draw against Nantes], so yeah, all positive at the moment.”
He added: “I think there’s a real culture of togetherness here, and that is from everyone, from the academy, the women’s [team] and the men’s [team] as well. Everyone’s really on the same page, a real family.
“Very cliche to say, but honestly it’s just an amazing place to be at.”