Eddie Howe on Marc Guehi transfer pursuit latest as Newcastle submit fourth bid
Eddie Howe has been speaking about Newcastle's pursuit of Marc Guehi after the club submitted a fourth bid for Crystal Palace defender.
Newcastle have so far failed with three bids for the England centre-back, but a fourth has been submitted and Standard Sport believes there is more confidence than ever that a deal could be struck.
Palace have been holding firm on their £65million valuation for Guehi, who shone at Euro 2024 with England, and Howe hopes a resolution is soon reached.
"Everyone is looking for the best players," he told reporters on Friday. "From our perspective, we've got a very good squad. So to sign players and make the squad better, it's difficult but achievable - we can do it ... I certainly hope we can add some more in the next two weeks."
We have [walked away] many times especially early on when there was very much a Newcastle tax ... we aren't going to pay silly fees for players
Eddie Howe
Howe has previously complained about being quoted inflated fee for transfer targets following their Saudi-backed takeover, but now feels selling clubs know Newcastle will not play that game.
He continued: "We have done [walked away] many times especially early on when there was very much a Newcastle tax. When we would turn up the price would double.
"Many times we would not go down that road where we are overpaying for players. I think it has changed slightly because people have seen our dynamic and we aren't going to pay silly fees for players."
Newcastle's pursuit of Guehi has played out publically in recently weeks, as new sporting director Paul Mitchell tries to get the first big signing of his tenure over the line.
Three rejected bids and public statements from Palace chairman Steve Parish have put pressure on Newcastle and Mitchell, but Howe says he can only control his own actions during such a process.
He continued: "I can only control myself and what I say and I try to do that as well as I can. You're not in control of every aspect of the deal, other clubs, and sometimes your own club.
"There's loads of different ways to work. I don't comment on transfer speculation more out of respect for other clubs and players. I know that's how I'd want to be treated the other way."