Maybe this helps explain Newcastle United dual interest in Marc Guehi and Malick Thiaw | OneFootball

Newcastle United have been continually linked with Malick Thiaw during this transfer window.

The German central defender seen as ideal competition for Fabian Schar in the short-term, a first-choice regular potentially in the future.

The AC Milan defender set to turn 23 on Thursday, so definitely fits in with the kind of age profile Eddie Howe and Newcastle United tend to go for.

However, Friday then brought breaking news (see below) that Newcastle United were now in talks to try and sign Marc Guehi.

The 24 year old England and Crystal Palace star now back from an extended summer break due to his Euros involvement, the same same as Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier.

This though hasn’t stopped the links with Malick Thiaw, with further reports over the weekend claiming the NUFC interest in the German defender is still ongoing. This has caused some confusion amongst part of the Newcastle United fanbase, as surely we aren’t intending to buy both Marc Guehi AND Malick Thiaw.

Well, first of all, you would have to be pretty naive to think that Newcastle United, or indeed any Premier League, are showing interest and/or having talks with just the one player at a time for any position. The reality of course is that Newcastle United will be communicating and even having talks with various clubs regarding various players, with most of that contact/talking happening via agents.

So whilst of course I agree that the vast majority of transfer reporting in the media is absolute rubbish. At the same time, I also think that contact/talks (usually via agents) take place with a lot of other clubs about a lot of players, who Newcastle United don’t end up signing, as well as the small number that do actually sign on for United.

Now secondly, with particular regard to this seemingly dual Newcastle United interest in both Malcik Thiaw and Marc Guehi, there is also another added angle.

When it comes to agents, Malick Thiaw is represented by Unique Sports Group. Marc Guehi also represented by Unique Sports Group.

This could of course be pure coincidence but my instinct is this isn’t the case. I think every chance that Newcastle United will sign Marc Guehi or Malick Thiaw, but not both of them, obviously. Every chance that Newcastle United having an interest in both players and taking to them and their clubs via the same agents, with then seeing how things fall, which deal sees all parties happy to go ahead on whatever terms.

Also worth mentioning, Unique Sports Group already have a very strong presence in the Newcastle United squad, amongst the players they represent are Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Lewis Miley, Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles, as well as the recently departed Paul Dummett.

The Mag report regarding Marc Guehi on Friday – 2 August 2024:

The breaking news on Friday afternoon is that Newcastle United are in talks to sign Marc Guehi.

The exclusive coming from David Ornstein at The Athletic.

Ornstein has proved himself to be easily the best source of exclusives on Newcastle United (and other clubs), an extraordinary success rate compared to the rest.

The man from The Athletic states that Newcastle United have made their approach this week and that talks are now in progress.

Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon have both been given extended leave after England reached the Euros final on 14 July, so no doubt Marc Guehi the same with Crystal Palace. The NUFC England pair are expected back at the training ground after this weekend, to join up with the rest of the squad who are returning from Japan.

Marc Guehi had an excellent 2023/24 season and followed that up with six starts in Germany, including the final, the defender suspended for the other game. The 24 year old was one of England’s best performers.