Newcastle United are prepared to make a final push for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the coming days.
The Magpies have been tracking the England international following his starring role in the Three Lions run to the final of Euro 2024 earlier this summer.
The former Chelsea center-back has developed into one of the outstanding Premier League players in his position alongside taking over the Palace captaincy.
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However, despite his contract at Selhurst Park running until 2026, Newcastle have highlighted the 24-year-old as a key target in a long-running transfer saga.
The Magpies are rumoured to have seen four bids rejected by Palace, as they look to make small increases with each offer, but the Eagles have stuck to their £70m ($90m) valuation.
Part of Palace's determination is based on a requirement to pay a 20% sell-on clause to Chelsea and that has driven Guehi's price up.
However, as the transfer window edges closer to closure, reports from the Daily Express claim a breakthrough has been made, with Newcastle submitting a final offer which matches that figure.
Palace will also need to move quickly to source a replacement with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano indicating VfL Wolfsburg captain Maxence Lacroix is their preferred option.
🔵🔴🦅 Crystal Palace keep advancing in talks with Maxence Lacroix as top priority if one centre back leaves before the end of the window.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2024
Marc Guehi (Newcastle) or Joachim Andersen (Fulham), one could leave and Glasner considers Lacroix as ideal choice as replacement. pic.twitter.com/VkojU8HBEH
Lacroix's asking price is less than half of what Guehi's exit could bring in and that will offer Oliver Glasner the chance to bring in more squad reinforcements.
