Newcastle United’s third bid for Marc Guehi has been rejected by Crystal Palace, according to sources at Selhurst Park.
Earlier this week, Eagles chairman Steve Parish commented on the bidding process, stating: “It’s not near the point where we have to make a decision.” The Croydon club has now confirmed that Newcastle’s latest offer does not meet their valuation.
After a week of intense negotiations between Parish and sporting director Paul Mitchell, here is where things stand between Newcastle and Palace.
### Current Status of the Bid
Newcastle has had multiple bids turned down, with the most recent offer reportedly around £60 million, including potential add-ons. However, Palace rejected the bid, considering Guehi a “superstar” player and expecting a fee that reflects his value.
Palace also arranged for Guehi to speak with Sky Sports, where he expressed his happiness at Selhurst Park and his focus on the upcoming season.
### What Are Crystal Palace’s Demands?
Parish has been vague on specifics, but it’s understood that a £65 million fee is likely the tipping point for Guehi. There could also be additional add-ons included in the deal.
Palace must also account for a 20% sell-on clause owed to Chelsea, which was agreed upon three years ago when they signed Guehi.
### Statements on the Record
In an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday, Parish said: “Nobody has reached our valuation yet. If you want a superstar player, you need to pay superstar money. We’re not at the stage where we have to make a decision. We love having him here and would love to keep him. If someone else wants him, they need to make it really difficult for us. He’s a generational talent.”
### What’s Next?
Newcastle may need to significantly increase their offer if they want to secure Guehi. With a set budget at St James’ Park, any deal will need to be approved by the club’s Saudi backers. A bid over £65 million would break the club’s transfer record, but the potential signing would be welcomed by many fans on Tyneside. The question remains: is it worth an extra £5 million to get the deal done?
