Newcastle United have started the 2024/25 season well, but Eddie Howe may be frustrated by the lack of new signings in the summer transfer window. The Magpies missed out on several key targets who could have boosted their chances of breaking into the Premier League’s top four.
One of the key transfer stories was Marc Guehi. Newcastle showed strong interest in the Crystal Palace defender but couldn’t secure a deal. As the window neared its end, Newcastle made a third bid of around £60 million, which Palace rejected. Guehi remains with Palace for now, but his value could drop if he pushes for a move in January.
Guehi has been impressive this season, playing all three league matches for Palace and winning 76% of his duels per game, while being dribbled past only 0.3 times per match. With such strong defensive stats, it’s clear why Howe is still interested in the England international.
Will Newcastle return with another bid for Guehi in January? That remains to be seen. But it’s worth noting that a similar situation unfolded years ago with former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate, whose value in today’s market would align with Guehi’s current price.
Woodgate, considered a “perfect” signing by Sir Bobby Robson when he arrived in 2003, was sold to Real Madrid for £13.4 million just 18 months later.
Adjusted for inflation, that fee would be about £60 million in today’s money.
Despite a rocky time at Madrid, Woodgate’s sale proved to be a stroke of genius for Newcastle.
Jonathan Woodgate (€18.3M) – Newcastle United to Real Madrid (2004) pic.twitter.com/vN8Uc4NsND
— Transfersthathappened (@actualtransfers) March 26, 2024
While Newcastle’s £60 million bid for Guehi was rejected, it might tempt Palace to reconsider in the coming months. If Guehi continues his strong performances, Newcastle may not be the only club knocking on Palace’s door in the next transfer window.