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Newcastle target forward rather than Marc Guéhi in January
Club unlikely to renew interest in Crystal Palace captain as Sven Botman nears return — and have discussed leaving St James’ Park in a bid to increase revenue
November 15 2024, 11.46pm GMT
Newcastle tried to sign Guéhi in the summer but had several bids rejected by Crystal Palace
SEBASTIAN FREJ/MB MEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
The return of the Netherlands defender from an anterior cruciate ligament injury means that Newcastle may temper any interest in Marc Guéhi, whom they failed to sign despite protracted interest in the Crystal Palace centre back during the summer.
Botman, who signed for Newcastle for ÂŁ35million in 2022, is set to begin light training, with an aim to possibly begin playing before the end of the year. Eddie Howe, the Newcastle head coach, believes that the 24-year-old will go on to be remembered as one of the best centre halves the Premier League has had. His return has caused the club to rethink and prioritise a right-sided forward, but any incoming deal would have to be absolutely right for the club in the medium and long term.
Newcastle could rekindle their interest in the Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, whom they failed to sign on the final day of the summer transfer window, but at a significantly reduced price to the ÂŁ35million they were prepared to pay in August. Forest were not keen to sell at such a late stage without time to look for a replacement but are believed to be more receptive to an approach in January for the 22-year-old, who plays with Alexander Isak for Sweden.
Newcastle will not move for the 18-year-old Southampton wide man Tyler Dibling, whose form this season has generated much interest.
Newcastle could consider making a fresh approach for the Forest winger Elanga
MI NEWS/NURPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Botman’s return coincides with sources indicating that the club are “extremely conscious” of the limitations of PSR and do not want to make decisions that could “really damage” them next year.
There is still internal frustration over having to weaken the first-team squad at the end of June by selling players to avoid punishment. Newcastle do not have the complication of added fixtures in European football going into the new year, which is another indicator that it could be a quiet transfer window for them.
They may look to sell the likes of Miguel AlmirĂłn and Callum Wilson but have still to find any takers. Wilson is set to return against West Ham United on Monday for his first game this season having recovered from a back injury.
Newcastle had a further £35million injected into the club’s working capital this week by its owners, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, via a single share. It means PIF has now injected nearly £338million in capital into the club for general running costs since the takeover in October 2021, more than the actual £305million sale price agreed with the former owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle’s chief operating officer has said the club are “seriously” considering leaving St James’ Park
SCOTT HEPPELL/REUTERS
The club’s turnover was still just £250million in the most recent accounts, posted in June 2023, and in a further sign of how important PSR is and the need to increase turnover, the club’s chief operating officer, Brad Miller, spoke publicly of the possibility of leaving St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Miller was speaking at a “We are United” event held at the Stack, a leisure hub and fanzone outside St James’ Park, to a group of about 2,000 supporters.
“As you have heard a lot, it is all about revenue and PSR,” he said. “We have to work hard to make sure we give as much money as possible to Paul [Mitchell, the director of football] and the football side in order to remain competitive on the field.
“A new stadium has the potential to earn a lot more, both on match days and non-match days. It is giving us an indication that we can actually contribute even more to the football club and football side if we had a new stadium.
“The first choice is if we stayed at St James’ we have the 52,000 seats already. It comes with significantly more money if we transform it and it will look amazing. That’s option one.
“Option two is if we were to move away, and not too far away as we aren’t going to stretch the elastic band to the point of breaking. We are looking at it seriously as it does have the potential to earn more than twice as much in terms of revenue, compared to a transformation of St James’ Park, and more seats, a lot more seats potentially.”
An informal show of hands among supporters at the event showed a majority in favour of leaving St James’ Park. Previously, in a feasibility study undertaken, 71 per cent of fans wanted to stay.
