The £100m transfer truth as Newcastle United turn to B list after Marc Guehi deadline passes
Newcastle United in No Rush as Eddie Howe’s Squad Rebuild Continues at a Measured Pace
Newcastle United’s hierarchy firmly believes that manager Eddie Howe is still in the early stages of his long-term squad transformation at St James’ Park. Despite fan anticipation and the pressure of a busy transfer market, club officials are refusing to be drawn into rushed or reactive transfer decisions during the current window.
Financial constraints imposed by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) continue to influence the Magpies’ approach to player recruitment. Although there is money available to spend, Newcastle remain committed to maintaining a sustainable financial model. This means they will walk away from any deals that could jeopardize the club’s carefully managed wage structure or overall budget.
Yes, Newcastle do have funds at their disposal—but they are determined not to overspend or pay inflated prices for players who may not represent good long-term value. Each potential signing undergoes a thorough evaluation process, driven by the club’s data-oriented recruitment team, which has been meticulously assessing targets over the past several months.
Manager Eddie Howe is keen to make his first acquisition of the summer, and the club has already explored moves for players such as Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga, and goalkeeper James Trafford. However, in all cases, Newcastle have encountered demands for higher bids, prompting them to step back rather than meet the asking prices. Additional targets—categorized on a secondary or “B list”—have also come with steep valuations.
Despite the competitive nature of the summer transfer window, Newcastle remain composed. Club insiders believe it may still take several years before the squad reaches the depth and quality levels of Premier League giants like Manchester City and Chelsea. Both clubs continue to operate at the top of European football and are currently competing for a £100 million prize at the FIFA Club World Cup—highlighting just how significant the financial and sporting gap still is.
Peter Silverstone, Newcastle’s commercial director, has openly acknowledged that the club is still in “catch-up mode” compared to the likes of City and Chelsea. The journey those clubs have taken—particularly City, whose dominance is the result of over a decade of strategic investment and planning—serves as a roadmap that Newcastle is keen to emulate gradually, rather than attempting shortcuts.
This summer, then, is viewed as another key step in the Magpies’ ongoing evolution. While Howe’s starting eleven is close to the level he envisions, there remains a clear need to strengthen the squad’s depth. Enhancing the quality of options available from the bench is a significant focus of the current window.
Behind the scenes, there is quiet confidence that Newcastle will finalize a signing early enough to integrate them into the squad before the start of pre-season. Although no new arrivals have been unveiled yet, sources within the club suggest that substantial groundwork is being done, and Howe remains a composed and focused figure amid the slow-moving market.
Marc Guehi Pursuit Complicated by Liverpool Interest
Newcastle’s hopes of reviving a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi may be fading, as Liverpool have stepped up their interest in the England international. The Merseyside club appears to be accelerating its recruitment push, particularly in the wake of young defender Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Last summer, Newcastle made a serious attempt to sign Guehi, walking away when negotiations approached the £70 million mark. At the time, Palace were holding firm on their valuation. However, with just one year remaining on Guehi’s current deal, the London club may now be forced to lower their asking price to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Palace’s own transfer activity further signals a potential exit for Guehi. The club is in pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande—a player also highly rated by Newcastle’s head of recruitment, Steve Nickson. Should Palace complete that signing, it could open the door for Guehi’s departure.
Although Newcastle remain calm about their defensive situation, Liverpool’s renewed interest might compel them to reconsider their strategy. Newcastle already boast solid central defensive options in Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn, and Fabian Schär. Emil Krafth provides additional cover, and promising youngster Alex Murphy is expected to be part of the pre-season squad.
Nonetheless, Guehi has been a fan favorite among Newcastle supporters, particularly after a standout performance at Euro 2024 and an impressive campaign with Palace, which culminated in lifting the FA Cup following a victory over Manchester City in the final.
At this stage, Liverpool appear to have gained momentum in their pursuit of the 23-year-old defender. Newcastle were previously encouraged to step forward with a bid before the window officially opened, and while sources close to the player have not ruled out a move to Tyneside, it’s Liverpool who seem more proactive and better positioned at this point.
Still, Newcastle’s recruitment team remains methodical and deliberate. The club’s strategy is built on long-term planning rather than short-term gambles, and while Guehi would undoubtedly strengthen the back line, the Magpies are unwilling to deviate from their sustainable path—no matter how competitive the market becomes.