Newcastle United's transfer approach 'good news' as attention turns to January

Newcastle United's transfer approach ahead of the winter window has been praised - despite the fact the club didn't manage to bring in their top target back in the summer.

The club were keen on defender Marc Guehi but could not strike a deal with Crystal Palace - leaving many fans underwhelmed with the transfer window. And while the lack of reinforcements has been criticised by some, United's considered approach back in the summer has been looked upon positively by others.

Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, The Daily Mirror's Simon Bird said: "They weren't just in for Guehi and there were deals in the offing and they fell through, but it's clear that in the last couple of weeks [of the window], they had all their eggs in the Marc Guehi basket and it didn't come off.

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"That's kind of a gamble but it also shows they're very clear-sighted on what they needed and what they wanted. It's good that they knew what they wanted and they were putting all their eggs in one basket and that they wanted Marc Guehi because he was the man to improve [the team], rather than going scattergun and signing people on Deadline Day that they weren't in for.

"What they couldn't legislate for was the intransigence and blocking of Crystal Palace in that deal. They went quite high in their bidding and Palace were just saying no."

Eddie Howe's side were locked in negotiations with Palace for Guehi - with a bid reportedly north of £60 million being placed for the defender - but no deal was agreed.

Fast forward six months and United find themselves in a difficult position heading into the January transfer market - knowing the squad needs freshening up but also facing the reality of needing to sell before they can buy. This may restrict what Newcastle can do next month but there is a understanding that the club remain admirers of Guehi.

The 24-year-old, captain of Palace, has starred for England and is yet to extend his current deal which runs out in the summer of 2026. The Magpies over the next two windows are likely to test Palace's resolve once again when it comes to Guehi - which as Bird explains, is no surprise.

"Newcastle are usually very consistent in their transfer targets. Even if the deals don't go through for players that they have been linked with, whether it's abroad or here, you tend to see those players still being on the radar six months later or a year later, and then I think they would drift off if they weren't producing the form.

"There is a consistency in their approach, although the transfer window is a really movable kind of situation. Other clubs will have to sell. Other clubs will have to sell to meet their own PSR requirements as well. So there could be deals to be done in January."

You can watch the full episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast with Simon Bird by clicking here or listen to it by clicking here.