Hopes on Guehi in balance as rivals take interest

MAGPIES FACE COMPETITION FOR ENGLAND DEFENDER

- By ROSS GREGORY Head of sport [e-mail]

NEWCASTLE United's hopes of signing Marc Guehi remain in the balance as competition for the England defender hots up.

The Magpies have identified the Crystal Palace captain as their main transfer target as they look to strengthen their backline ahead of the new season.

United's long-standing interest comes after last year's saga saw them have three failed bids to land the player.

Newcastle don't want to end up in another long-running tug-of-war again this window. Eddie Howe is desperate to get new signings through the door quickly, with hopes he will have two new players by the time he returns for pre-season on July 7.

They've hit a brick wall so far, with moves for Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo scuppered by Chelsea and Man United, while Burnley's asking price for goalkeeper James Trafford remains problematic.