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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Jack Heath
Fri 1 August 2025 8:00, UK
Newcastle have suffered a major setback in their pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace with Liverpool ready to pounce.
The Magpies continue to face disappointment after disappointment in the summer transfer window.
After securing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, spirits were high on Tyneside as new candidates were expected to join the club as they return to the Champions League.
Yet, missed opportunities to acquire Joao Pedro who moved to Chelsea and James Trafford who returned to Man City have been major blows for the Toon.
Add Alexander Isak to the mounting list of transfer concerns with the Swede training away from the club at Real Sociedad, Eddie Howe must have a raging headache right now.
Newcastle have also been interested in Palace skipper Guehi for well over a year now as they look to recruit another centre-back.
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It remains to be seen whether the number 14 will ever play again for the Toon amid interest from Liverpool.
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This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 June that Guehi wants to join Liverpool and will prioritise their offer ahead of the likes of Newcastle and Spurs.
Crystal Palace’s captain wants to play regularly at the highest level and compete for Champions League and Premier League trophies on a consistent basis.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 28 July that Liverpool still have a “concrete” interest in Guehi and are lining up a fresh offer in the coming weeks.
Reported by the Daily Mail (31 July), a move for the England international is thought to be “on hold” for now.
The Mail understands that a deal for the 25-year-old is “difficult” and that the paper feels it is “unlikely, if not impossible” the Eagle comes to St James’ Park.
Howe and the hierarchy have also targeted other centre-backs during the long transfer saga, including Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi and Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, according to the Mail.
It appears increasingly unlikely the Magpies will land Guehi (Credit: xSebastianxFrejx)
Football Insider verdict
So what of the Magpies other reported targets then if they can’t get their hands on the Palace captain?
Giorgio Scalvini is a highly-rated Italian centre-back who has worked his way up from the Atalanta academy.
At just 21-years-old, from 2021-22 the number 42 impressed year-on-year when handed opportunities which saw him rack up 44 appearances in the 2023-24 season.
Yet, in the most recent campaign, the Italy international was limited to just eight appearances as he was forced to sit largely on the sidelines.
His frustration at a lack of minutes could sway the youngster to move to Tyneside if a suitable offer was made.
Statistics across all competitions 2024-25Giorgio ScalviniLeonardo BalerdiAppearances829Minutes played3692456Clean sheets05A huge disparity in game time for the Newcastle targets last season (Source: Sofascore)
Leonardo Balerdi is a more experienced defender at 26-years of age having spent five seasons with Marseille.
The Argentinian is known for his superb tackling and aggressive dominance which has seen him also claim eight caps for the national team.
Despite missing the start of the Ligue 1 campaign, the number five played 29 matches as the French side finished second in the league behind PSG.
Therefore, if Newcastle are proactive, they could easily bring in one of these two talented defenders to strengthen the backline.
However, as has been the worrying trend, the Toon have been lethargic in their transfer activity and have frequently been second best to their targets.
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