Champions League clause said to be deal-breaker for Crystal Palace in Marc Guehi bid

Newcastle United are still scrambling to get the transfer deal for Marc Guehi done as Crystal Palace gear up to turn down their latest bid.

It seems as though Crystal Palace have suddenly moved their asking price for Marc Guehi to over £70 million after Newcastle offered a deal worth £65 million that included add-ons.

When the news broke about the fourth bid, confidence was naturally very high amongst fans and even journalists - after all, Newcastle had reached the figure that everyone expected would be enough to get Palace to accept.

However, it now looks as though Palace are asking for in excess of £70 million according to The Telegraph.

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A clause based on Champions League qualification won't wash with Palace

Also within The Telegraph's article is a strong suggestion that Newcastle have inserted add-ons into the deal which would be triggered by Newcastle United qualifying for the Champions League, something that Palace aren't willing to accept.

While Newcastle have already managed Champions League qualification once under the new ownership, the fatigue from playing the extra fixtures combined with horrific luck when it came to injuries last season, meant that the Magpies missed out on European qualification all together last season.

It seems as though, with that in mind, Crystal Palace will not accept any clauses that depend on Newcastle bagging Champions League football.

There's definitely still a deal to be done

If that is what is holding up the deal rather than a change in valuation, that does change things. We can totally understand Crystal Palace's trepidation over a Champions League clause. They are going to want every penny on the table so of course they are only going to want clauses that they feel are 100% achievable.

Newcastle would, in our view, be a lot more likely to qualify for the Champions League with Marc Guehi in the squad, but it's by no means guaranteed.

After getting over the initial shock of the reports of the bid being turned down again, the confidence that the deal gets done is starting to return. Provided he doesn't get injured playing for Crystal Palace on Sunday, which would just be typical of our luck.