Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has revealed Newcastle United are closing in on a deal for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi after a long saga.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he has been told by sources that a deal is “close” and believes he will join before Friday’s (30 August) transfer deadline.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (26 August) that Newcastle remain “confident” of landing Crystal Palace star Guehi.
Palace are holding out for £70million and Newcastle are not far away from meeting that valuation late on in the summer window.
But in a new twist, Chadi Riad picked up an injury for Oliver Glasner’s side in the League Cup on Tuesday (27 August) – meaning Guehi’s exit would leave them with just two fit centre-backs.
Joachim Andersen has already left to join Fulham for a fee of around £30million.
Wyness insisted Newcastle will not sign an alternative if they miss out on Guehi as he is their “number one target”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think this is still going to happen.
“My sources had told me it was very close last week, and I still think it will happen.
“If it doesn’t happen, then I don’t think they’ll go anywhere else.
“He is the number one target and they’ll come back at a later date to try again.
“That being said, I’m confident this deal will get done before the end of the window.”
