Newcastle United might already be overpaying for Marc Guehi based on his recent performance with Crystal Palace. The Magpies’ interest peaked on Sunday during a match between two mid-table, London-based Premier League teams. Across Tyneside, fans put aside their usual Sunday activities, such as visiting the Quayside market and enjoying roast dinners, to watch Crystal Palace take on Brentford. The focus was on Marc Guehi, Palace’s captain, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
Guehi, making his first competitive appearance since the Euro 2024 final, was under intense scrutiny. However, when Bryan Mbeumo easily got past Guehi and scored the opening goal, questions began to arise at St James’ Park about whether Guehi is truly worth the £65 million price tag. This led Newcastle’s management to reconsider their transfer strategy within just 29 minutes of the match.
Palace reportedly told Newcastle to pay £65 million for Guehi, but after his shaky performance, including a near red card for a reckless tackle on Mads Roerslev, many wondered if the Magpies should instead consider investing in Mbeumo, especially given their issues on the right wing.
This performance raises doubts about whether Guehi is worth such a high fee, though it’s important to remember that he was one of England’s standout players in the Euro 2024 final. However, it’s worth noting that he wasn’t competing against legendary defenders like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, or Sol Campbell to earn his spot alongside John Stones. While Guehi is talented, Newcastle might be better off waiting until next summer when his contract has just two years left, potentially forcing Palace to lower their asking price.
