by Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been lauded for his “immense” performance in the club’s recent Premier League clash, even as Newcastle United ramp up their efforts to secure his signature for a reported £65 million.
Guehi captained Crystal Palace in their 2-0 defeat to West Ham United at Selhurst Park on Saturday, marking the Eagles’ second consecutive loss to start the new season. Despite the defeat, Guehi’s display was one of the few bright spots for Palace, earning him positive reviews from local media and fans alike.
After a shaky start to the season—where he was criticized for his role in Brentford’s opening goal during their first match—Guehi bounced back against West Ham. The News Shopper, which had given him a low 4/10 rating for his performance against Brentford, praised his effort against the Hammers, noting his strong leadership and ability to keep West Ham striker Michail Antonio in check. Guehi was awarded a 6/10 rating, the highest among his teammates.
Guehi also received a 7.0 rating on Sofascore, though it was noted that he lost possession 17 times during the match, more than any other player on the pitch. After the game, Guehi took time to individually applaud the Palace fans at Selhurst Park, sparking speculation that it could have been a “goodbye” gesture as transfer rumors continue to swirl.
Newcastle United have been in negotiations with Crystal Palace for nearly a month, aiming to bring Guehi to St James’ Park. The Magpies have reportedly made a bid of around £65 million, including add-ons, for the 24-year-old England international. However, Palace are said to be holding out for £70 million.
If Newcastle meet Palace’s valuation, the deal would surpass their current club record transfer fee of £63 million, paid for Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in August 2022. With less than a week remaining in the summer transfer window, all eyes will be on whether Newcastle can finalize the deal for Guehi before the deadline.
