‘I tried’ – Marc Guehi releases statement on £70m Newcastle United transfer saga.
Marc Guehi has admitted he tried to “get to work” immediately after his Newcastle United move broke down.
Toon chiefs tried valiantly to sign the Crystal Palace defender over the summer. As many as three bids were understood to have been rejected, with the highest worth around £70million.
Newcastle ultimately walked away after Palace chairman Steve Parish demanded “superstar money” for his asset. Guehi’s valuation increased following a successful Euro 2024 campaign with England.
However, the Eagles have endured a tough start to the Premier League campaign. Zero wins from seven games has hardly set the world alight, with Guehi’s form coming under question.
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He returned to the Three Lions fold for their 3-1 away win over Finland last night. Before the game, the 24-year-old opened up about his “tough” start to the season while namechecking the Newcastle transfer saga.
“I’d say (it’s been) quite tough not having a pre-season, not having much of a break and going straight back into it,” Guehi told talkSPORT. “I kind of handled it as best as I could. The Euros was such an amazing experience but just not quite getting there.
“And since then I’ve just tried to get my head down, tried to get to work (amid Newcastle transfer rumours). It’s been a tough start for us at Palace, but I think everyone’s pulling in the right direction to try and get ourselves back to where we want to be.”
Eddie Howe conceded he was left frustrated by Newcastle’s failure to land Guehi. Reports have, however, suggested the Magpies could return in January, with the centre-back entering the final 18 months of his contract.
