Newcastle end chase, Liverpool in prime spot for defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Lead Race for Guehi as Newcastle Shift Transfer Focus

Newcastle backing away from Marc Guehi pursuit

Newcastle United’s long-running interest in Marc Guehi appears to have reached its natural conclusion. Despite registering serious intent last summer with a staggering £70 million package, Eddie Howe’s side now look poised to walk away from the Crystal Palace centre-back for good.

Photo IMAGO

Their ambitious bid, which reportedly included £65 million guaranteed and a further £5 million in performance-related add-ons, was made late in the 2024 summer window. At the time, it marked a bold attempt to reinforce a defence that had struggled to meet Champions League expectations.

Yet, for all their financial muscle, Newcastle ultimately fell short. Their high-stakes approach encountered a familiar obstacle: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish. Resilient and unmoved by record-breaking offers, Parish refused to sanction the deal, and Guehi remained in South London.

Liverpool emerge as clear front-runners

Now, Guehi’s future seems to be veering towards Merseyside. Arne Slot reshaping the back line feels inevitable, particularly with long-term questions surrounding the future of Konate and the age of Virgil van Dijk.

Newcastle World’s Liam Kennedy reports that the Magpies have “all but accepted that Guehi would prefer a move to Anfield over St James’ Park.” If true, Liverpool are now firmly in pole position for a player whose calm presence and distribution from deep align seamlessly with Slot’s tactical preferences.

Repeated setbacks reshape Newcastle’s transfer strategy

This admission marks a broader shift in Newcastle’s summer strategy. Having suffered multiple setbacks in recent weeks, their transfer narrative has turned from optimism to adaptation. Presentations were made to the likes of Liam Delap, Mathias Cunha, Joao Pedro, and Dean Huijsen, only for those targets to choose Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid instead.

Bryan Mbeumo’s wage demands of £250,000 per week proved another unworkable obstacle. The mood on Tyneside is now one of recalibration. Newcastle are reportedly looking to Europe for alternatives, focusing on more attainable profiles and avoiding prolonged sagas reminiscent of last summer’s Guehi negotiations.

Guehi’s price dips as contract winds down

With Guehi entering the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, Palace’s leverage has quietly eroded. His market value is no longer inflated by long-term security, and Liverpool may look to capitalise on this. Newcastle, by contrast, seem disinterested in re-engaging unless there’s a seismic change in circumstances.

Their admiration for the England international remains, but pragmatism has taken hold. Guehi may still be admired at St James’ Park, but not at the cost of another protracted and ultimately fruitless chase.

For Liverpool, the path appears clear. If Guehi’s heart lies with Anfield, and the fee continues to slide, the Reds may yet secure one of the most composed defenders in the Premier League — while Newcastle turn the page on what could have been.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool perspective, the reported Newcastle withdrawal from the Guehi race can only be seen as encouraging. While nothing is guaranteed in modern recruitment, a clear run at a high-potential England international suits both Arne Slot’s strategic rebuild and the club’s financial reality.

Supporters may feel cautious optimism. Guehi is Premier League-proven, a regular for England, and crucially, at 24, the right age profile for a long-term project. He reads the game well, is composed in possession, and carries himself like a defender ready for the next step.

Concerns may linger over his injury history or whether he’s truly ready to anchor a defence competing on multiple fronts. But with Palace’s hand weakened by his contract situation, the opportunity to strike at a reduced fee feels timely.