Marc Guehi is said to be very keen on a move to Newcastle, with Crystal Palace demanding more than £60million for the England international.
Guehi enjoyed an impressive Euro 2024, featuring in all but one game as the Three Lions reached the final, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer. Newcastle have now emerged as the frontrunners to secure his signature.
The Magpies are hoping to get back into the Champions League next season and they are particularly keen to strengthen their backline. They have already signed Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from Bournemouth and Guehi would be a major addition.
According to the Telegraph, the 24-year-old has 'urged his representatives to make the deal happen'. The report states that Palace want a fee of over £60m for Guehi and both clubs are said to be confident a deal can be reached.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was quizzed about the club's transfer business after their 2-0 friendly defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan at the weekend, but he refused to be drawn on any specifics.
"Our efforts in the transfer market are ongoing," he said. "I'm out of touch with all of those movements. I know we're trying. Hopefully, we can bring you news soon. I'm not going to talk about individual deals."
Palace boss Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, addressed rumours surrounding Guehi's future back in May. " I'm always optimistic as all these players have contracts with Crystal Palace. It's May and many situations can change," he said.
"Nothing is 100 per cent but he's under contract, he [Guehi] is a good player, he's our captain, so I'm very positive and confident that he plays for Crystal Palace. Every game is an audition for the players and us as a team."
Along with the signing of Kelly, Newcastle have also added goalkeepers Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy to their ranks and made Lewis Hall's loan move permanent. They have also banked considerable transfer fees by selling Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton.
Palace, though, have sold Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille, Daichi Kamada from Lazio and Chadi Riad from Real Betis.