'I've Heard...' - Transfer Expert suggests real reason Newcastle-Guehi deal collapsed

Newcastle United’s failure to get a deal for Marc Guehi over the line in the summer led to dissatisfaction behind the scenes at St James’ Park.

That is the view of well-connected transfer guru and former Man United assistant manager Mick Brown, who insisted exclusively to Football Insider that sporting director Paul Mitchell should have done everything he could to land a deal for Eddie Howe’s top target during the summer transfer window.

Having lost both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles to long-term injuries, the club had made a new centre-back a priority ahead of the new season.

However, despite extensive negotiations with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, they were unable to get a deal over the line.

Palace’s initial £70million demand increased to £75million following the sale of Joachim Andersen and an injury to Chadi Riad, prompting the Magpies to walk away.

Despite this, Brown has insisted that if the club wanted to get the deal done as Howe had requested, they would have made it happen instead of walking away for the sake of £5million.

Amid reports of heightened tension between Howe and Mitchell during the transfer window, the failure to land one of the manager’s top targets only added to the issues.

Newcastle United tension grows after Marc Guehi failure

Newcastle suffered a frustrating transfer window which saw just four players brought into the club, only one of whom has started a game so far this season.

Brown, who has worked as a senior scout at Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and West Ham, explained that many at the club believe they should have gotten the Guehi deal over the line after the frustrating window.

“There is a feeling at Newcastle that they should have got the Marc Guehi transfer over the line,” he told Football Insider.

“That was the director of football who was leading the negotiations.

“It looks like they fell down over about £5million on that deal.

“Now, it’s always difficult to deal with Crystal Palace and their chairman.

“But if you want somebody and the club is dependent on it as Newcastle were with injuries to Botman and the others, then in the modern day, £5million shouldn’t be a barrier to that deal.

“I’ve heard that’s played a part in bringing about this dissatisfaction within the club and people have been asking questions.

“The manager wanted this player and saw him as a crucial signing for his team, but the director of football couldn’t get it done.“

In other news, Anthony Gordon agrees Newcastle deal and ‘huge’ pay rise – sources.

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The post 'I've Heard...' - Transfer Expert suggests real reason Newcastle-Guehi deal collapsed appeared first on Football Insider.