LATEST REPORT: 23-year-old England defender back on Newcastle’s wish list after double injury blow

Newcastle United faces an injury crisis for the upcoming season, with two key first-team center-backs sidelined until approximately the New Year. Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles have both recently undergone surgery for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, ruling them out for a significant period, possibly until the end of 2024.

This unfortunate setback will undoubtedly impact Newcastle’s summer transfer plans, as they now need to prioritize bringing in cover for both injured players. There are reports suggesting that Eddie Howe might reconsider his interest in Crystal Palace and England defender, Marc Guehi, according to Football Insider.

Newcastle were warned off making an approach in January

Newcastle’s interest in acquiring the centre-back in January was deterred when Crystal Palace indicated they would demand a substantial fee before considering his departure. Negotiating during the summer is typically smoother, as clubs have more time to seek replacements, hence Newcastle is optimistic that Crystal Palace might become more flexible in their stance. The 23-year-old has featured in 22 Premier League matches for Crystal Palace this season, during which the team has encountered more challenges compared to the previous season.

Fingers crossed this ‘Luxury Tax’ becomes a thing

Guehi is currently recovering from a knee injury, which aligns well with our needs. However, he is expected to return later this month and contend for a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

While Palace will still aim for a favorable deal for Guehi, hopefully, both clubs can reach a fair compromise. Perhaps including Isaac Hayden in the deal could sweeten it.

Newcastle is banking on the potential implementation of the new ‘luxury tax’ this summer, which would facilitate their efforts to recruit necessary players, thanks to their wealthy backers.