Newcastle are pushing to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi but retain interest in Chelsea defender Axel Disasi as an alternative.
Eddie Howe’s side have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Guehi from Crystal Palace with their latest offer of £60m plus £5m in add-ons turned down by the Eagles.
Palace value the England international at around £70m and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle are prepared to match that asking price for the 24-year-old.
Given the price tags of defenders including Harry Maguire (£80m) and Wesley Fofana (£70m) in recent transfer windows, Palace – who are under no pressure to sell – believe their asking price is fair for a player who impressed during England’s run to the final of Euro 2024.
Newcastle have assessed alternatives and The Athletic claim that Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba and Chelsea’s Disasi are on their radar.
The latter signed for Chelsea from AS Monaco last summer and made 44 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24.
Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell knows the player from his time at Monaco and the Magpies considered Disasi during his time in Ligue 1. It is unclear where Disasi features in Chelsea’s plans as the Blues look to reduce their squad. The 25-year-old is currently recovering from a hernia operation.
Tapsoba is also a player of interest, though Leverkusen deem the Burkina Faso international as ‘untouchable’ this summer. An impressive performer in the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title last season, Tapsoba has been on the radar of Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs in recent transfer windows.
