The genius £60m Newcastle United transfer swoop that could seal Champions League return

The summer transfer window has already provided intriguing viewing for Newcastle United. Indeed, it would be safe to suggest the Magpies have embarked on a two-tier transfer window with just under a month remaining in their bid to boost Eddie Howe’s squad and move on from what felt like an underwhelming season.

Just 12 months ago, Tyneside was preparing for the return for Champions League football after a two-decade absence and was heralding the arrival of the likes of AC Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali and Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes. Excitement was at fever pitch as the Gallowgate faithful still basked in the unexpected overachievement of a fourth placed finish and a first major cup final appearance since 1999 during the previous campaign.

Of course, we now know the season did not play out how Howe and his staff would have expected. A seemingly never-ending battle with injuries, an inability to avoid inconsistency and an increased fixture schedule all meant the Magpies missed out on European football - albeit by the narrowest of margins after Manchester United’s FA Cup Final win against Manchester City ensured they claimed a Europa League place, relegated Chelsea into the Europa Conference League and Newcastle out of Europe altogether.

Another aspect of the last 12 months that has provided cause for concern is the Magpies battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations. With the Saudi-led ownership at St. James’ Park still working on increasing income streams after they were cut to the core under the club’s previous owners, Newcastle found themselves above and beyond their spending limits and faced a race against time to avoid a similar punishment to those handed out to Premier League rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest last season.

Their predicament forced the sales of academy graduate Elliot Anderson to Forest and highly-rated winger Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the latter departing St. James’ Park without making an appearance for the Magpies.

With any punishment now avoided, Newcastle can move on to the second part of what they hope will be a productive second half to the summer transfer window. Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and Birmingham City veteran stopper John Ruddy have all arrived and a £28m permanent move for Lewis Hall has been completed on the back of a season-long loan spell at St. James’ Park. However, there is a feeling the big business is yet to be conducted by the Magpies and that could all change over the next two weeks.

A move for Sheffield United forward William Osula is nearing completion after the Denmark Under-21 international agreed personal terms and underwent a medical in the North East on Monday. As widely reported over the weekend, Newcastle have also opened talks with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace over an ambitious move for England defender Marc Guehi - although they will have to see off interest from several other clubs and contend with the Eagles sizeable demands for the Euro 2024 star.

The priorities for Newcastle have also become well-versed across the media. A centre-back is key to their plans for the new season, hence the interest in Guehi and a versatile forward is also high on the agenda and that requirement will be secured with the impending addition of Osula. With ongoing concerns over the fitness of striker Callum Wilson, there is a need to provide competition and cover for leading frontman Alexander Isak after he produced the best form of his career last season.

The Sweden international is rapidly developing into one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League and has adapted to life in England with relative ease after joining the Magpies in a reported £60m deal in August 2022. It would be safe to suggest Newcastle would be facing a similar outlay to give Howe some serious options at the top end of the pitch and, with PSR regulations still in mind, the departure of a number of players may well be required.

But their next priority will be to boost their options at the heart of their defence and Guehi, as it stands, seems to be their preferred option. That should be no surprise to anyone who witnessed the Palace defender’s performances during England’s run to the Euro 2024 or those that have seen overseen his development during his time at Selhurst Park. Quite simply, Guehi has now firmly established himself as a key member of the England squad and that is why several big name clubs are hoping to tempt Palace into a sale this summer.

It should be said, the Eagles will not be willing sellers as they look to build on the progress they made under new head coach Oliver Glasner and any suitor for Guehi should not expect anything other than a tough time persuading Palace to authorise a sale. Every player, as they say, has a price, and Guehi will be no different. The £60m quoted in the headline to this piece will be viewed as, at best, a bare minimum offer, and at worst, a woeful underestimation of what it will take to lure the England star away from Selhurst Park. Palace, quite rightly, will point to Everton’s lofty demands for Jarrad Branthwaite as justification for their stance.

Newcastle’s interest is genuine and there is a real desire to take Guehi to Tyneside to offer Howe an alternative option and long-term replacement for Fabian Schar and provide Sven Botman with a defensive partner that could provide the bedrock of the Magpies side for years to come. Howe will have also watched on with interest as Guehi shone on the left-hand side of a centre-back partnership with John Stones at Euro 2024, showcasing his comfort with both feet and his ability to adapt in challenging conditions. There is absolutely no question capturing the signature of Guehi would significantly improve the Magpies squad and catapult them back into European contention - but such things are easier said than done and persuading Palace to sell will prove to be a far more difficult task.