Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has called for Newcastle to pay a premium for defender Marc Guehi, arguing that “if you want a superstar player, you have to pay a superstar’s money”.
Parish says the England international is a “generational talent” who the club will fight to retain this summer, before the August 30 deadline.
Newcastle have made a third offer for Guehi. Vscek News has learned that the proposal put forward by Newcastle at the weekend is being considered by Palace and that discussions are ongoing.
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The parish said Vscek News: “No one has come up with a valuation yet. If you want a superstar player, you have to pay superstar money.
“We’re not close to the point where we have to make a decision yet. We love having him and we’d like to keep him. If someone else wants to have him, they’d have to make it very difficult for us. He’s a generational talent.”
Last week Newcastle had a second bid for Guehi, reportedly around £50m, rejected, while Palace had valued the 24-year-old at £65m.
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The key factor in the talks is the remaining duration of Guehi’s contract. There are 18 months left to discuss pre-contracts with teams abroad and two years until he leaves on a free transfer.
Eddie Howe has made centre-back a priority this summer and Guehi fits the profile he is looking for: a right-back who can also play on the left.
Newcastle still have the PSR to consider, meaning if Palace’s demands become too high, they may have to reconsider their pursuit of Guehi.
Fulham make better offer for Guehi’s Palace teammate Andersen
Latest news from Vscek News’ Dharmesh Sheth and Michael Bridge:
Fulham have returned with an improved offer for Guehi’s Crystal Palace teammate and fellow centre-back Joachim Andersen.
The offer for the 28-year-old is believed to be £30m, including performance bonuses.
Palace are very interested in retaining the Danish international and therefore the offer is unlikely to be accepted.
Fulham also remain interested in the Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos.
Marco Silva’s side are awaiting the outcome of their bid for Andersen before considering another offer for Carlos, after their initial offer was rejected.
Fulham are looking for another centre-back before the transfer window closes after signing Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal.
Why do Newcastle want Guehi?
Keith Downie of Vscek News:
“Eddie Howe is desperate to bring in Marc Guehi. He’s an England international and everyone saw over the summer what he can bring to a team, being part of that England defence that got to the Euro final.
“He’s been pretty impressive for a long time now at Crystal Palace. He’d be another player who knows the Premier League, who’s an international and I think, crucially, knows some of the Newcastle players within that squad as well.
“He’s very close to Anthony Gordon, who was obviously away with England this summer and they went through the youth system together for the national team, and also to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, who he was alongside at Chelsea.
“Newcastle are looking to add numbers in defence where they are a bit lacking, particularly on the right side where they only have Fabian Schar in that position.
“Guehi can play both as a right centre-back and a left centre-back, so you would give him that option on both flanks.”