Newcastle urged to ‘forget Marc Guehi’ and buy Bournemouth star instead before transfer deadline day

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Newcastle United still have some business to do if their performance against Bournemouth at the weekend was anything to go by.

Eddie Howe has already welcomed the likes of Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy, Lewis Hall, William Osula and Odysseas Vlachodimos to Newcastle this summer.

However, Newcastle opened talks with Edmond Tapsoba last week and Howe also has an interest in Axel Disasi from Chelsea, so there are clear signs that a centre-back is still being targeted on Tyneside.

Crystal Palace have received a bid from Newcastle for Marc Guehi, who seems to be the main target for the Magpies, though his £70 million price tag has stalled things slightly.

But, Craig Hope thinks he’s spotted a bigger problem at Newcastle, which has led to him calling for a different signing after defeat to Bournemouth…

Craig Hope wants Newcastle to sign Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo instead of Marc Guehi

Antoine Semenyo starred for Bournemouth against Newcastle at the weekend, where he picked up the Man of the Match award for his assist and display.

This led to Craig Hope calling for Newcastle to drop their efforts for Marc Guehi by switching them to signing a winger, with Semenyo named as a player he wants.

“I was saying to my colleagues in the press box, forget Marc Guehi, go and put the £70 million on a right winger. Bring Semenyo back to the North East with you.”

The African attacker now has a goal and an assist to his name from his opening two games for the Cherries this season.

Do Newcastle need Semenyo or Guehi more?

Kieran Trippier is keen to leave Newcastle this summer. This would see Howe lose a leader both at the back and in the changing room at St James’ Park.

Guehi donned the captain’s armband most recently against West Ham at the weekend, and gained experience away with England over the summer, so despite being young, he has that experience of what it’s like to lead a changing room and could slot straight in.

The likes of Dan Burn, Lloyd Kelly, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar can all play at the heart of the defence, but the latter three have had their fair share of injury worries.

As Hope says, spending £70 million in a position where you’re already fairly stacked does seem a slight risk when there are other areas that appear to have more of a need to be improved.

There’s no doubting Anthony Gordon’s ability in the final third, but the likes of Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron are yet to prove that they can be relied upon for a full season, with inconsistencies and injuries contributing to their struggles at times.