Newcastle burst into race to sign £30m “monster” from PL club, he’d be their own Guehi – opinion
There may be plenty of criticism and unrest circling Tyneside right now, but Newcastle United’s story this summer is far from finished. With just over a week remaining before the transfer window slams shut, the Magpies are still working behind the scenes to piece together a squad capable of competing at the top end of the Premier League table once again.
Manager Eddie Howe has likely reminded his players of the lessons from last summer, when frustrations mounted after fruitless attempts to land big-name Premier League stars such as Marc Guehi and Anthony Elanga. Despite those setbacks, Newcastle still delivered an excellent campaign. They stormed to a fifth-place league finish, sealing a return to the Champions League, and crowned their season with silverware after defeating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
However, even the most optimistic Newcastle fan would admit this summer has been more turbulent. The saga surrounding star striker Alexander Isak has cast a shadow over pre-season preparations. With the Swede desperate to secure a move to Liverpool before the deadline, Howe has been forced to make contingency plans and explore alternative options in the transfer market.
Newcastle’s striker search
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle have now whittled down their shortlist of striker targets. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is understood to be the priority, but the Bees are digging in, refusing to let their talisman leave without a fight. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jørgen Strand Larsen has also emerged as a candidate, while Atletico Madrid’s unsettled forward Alexander Sorloth is another possibility being explored.
There is quiet confidence inside the club that a deal for a new forward will materialize before the window closes, but the prolonged uncertainty has already had a disruptive effect on Howe’s tactical planning. With Champions League football returning and expectations on the rise, Newcastle cannot afford to head into the season light in attack.
Defensive reinforcement also on the agenda
While the striker hunt has dominated headlines, Newcastle are also keeping an eye on the defensive market. Reports from Caught Offside suggest Chelsea are prepared to sell French international Axel Disasi before the end of August. Valued at around £30 million, the 27-year-old is attracting interest from several clubs, including Napoli, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a handful of Ligue 1 outfits. Newcastle, however, are believed to be among the most attentive suitors.
Having already bolstered their backline with the signing of Malick Thiaw, the Magpies remain determined to add further depth, especially given the demands of European competition. Disasi’s versatility—capable of playing both centrally and at right-back—makes him an attractive option for Howe.
Why Axel Disasi would be a smart signing
Disasi joined Chelsea from AS Monaco in 2023 for a package worth £39 million. Since then, he has made over 60 appearances for the Blues, notching five goals and even collecting a European medal after helping his team win the UEFA Conference League. Despite being naturally a centre-back, he spent much of last season deployed as a right-back, where he impressed statistically. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 6% of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 17% for successful take-ons, and the top 11% for aerial duels won.
Dubbed a “monster” by journalist Rahman Osman, Disasi initially looked set to establish himself at Stamford Bridge. But after a strong start, he struggled for consistency, eventually being loaned out to Aston Villa in the latter half of last season. That experience, while frustrating, may open the door for a permanent move elsewhere—and St. James’ Park could provide the platform for him to reignite his career.
For Newcastle, signing Disasi could represent the kind of clever market move they missed out on with Marc Guehi. The Magpies had multiple bids rejected for Guehi last summer, with their final offer reportedly rising to £65m before Crystal Palace stood firm. Now, with Guehi seemingly Liverpool-bound, Disasi could provide a more affordable but equally effective solution.
The bigger picture
With club captain Jamal Lascelles missing the entirety of last season due to injury and Emil Krafth only returning in February after a long absence, defensive depth remains a pressing concern. Disasi’s arrival would not only strengthen Newcastle’s backline but also give Howe greater flexibility in coping with the physical and tactical demands of domestic and European competition.
At a time when the narrative around Newcastle is dominated by Isak’s uncertain future and a transfer window that has felt disjointed, landing Disasi—and perhaps a striker before the deadline—could flip the mood on Tyneside. It would demonstrate that, even amidst challenges, the Magpies are still building smartly and ambitiously.
If Howe and the club’s recruitment team can pull it off, the additions of Wissa or Sorloth in attack and Disasi in defence would leave Newcastle far better equipped for the season ahead, ensuring that last year’s successes were not just a flash in the pan but the beginning of something lasting.