Newcastle set to walk away from Marc Guehi deal as Crystal Palace move goalposts again

Newcastle United's pursuit of England centre-back Marc Guehi has been a complete farce as a month of negotiations looks set to end in nothing.

Crystal Palace have consistently moved the goalposts whenever Newcastle have got near to offering what they're asking for and while the source isn't exactly on the level of a David Ornstein, there has been a rumour that Palace have upped their price by another £5 million.

We're not sure we believe that, but there are many outlets suggesting that Newcastle are about ready to pull the plug.

Why it has taken them this long to walk away is anyone's guess.

We'd love to know why Newcastle have put up with Palace's crap for so long

There was either a real belief that the deal could get done, or Paul Mitchell had been told in no uncertain terms by Eddie Howe to get Guehi in or he walks.

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, and we'll likely never know.

Despite all these rumours, it's understood that the deal is still on as things stand (I'm writing this at 3pm) but there's a feeling that the Magpies' patience is running out.

Newcastle should walk away and try again in January when Palace may be more cooperative

Newcastle have 20 hours to find a replacement, agree a fee, and agree terms and get them in for a medical should this deal not go through and that window is getting smaller by the second.

A decision has to be made quickly. Frankly at this point, as much as I'd love Guehi at Newcastle, it definitely feels it is time to walk away. Palace have treated us like mugs for a month, we'll just walk away now and go back in January with a £30 million bid.

By then Guehi will have just 18 months left on his deal and Palace will be desperate to get whatever they can for him knowing that his value will drop even more come the summer. Perhaps even Guehi himself may actually do his part to force the move that he clearly wants.