Concerned Newcastle are set to hijack their £13m move for the 3-cap defender

As the opening weekend of the Premier League approaches, Newcastle United are still trying to sign a new defender. The Magpies will kick off their new season this Saturday as they welcome newly promoted Southampton to St. James' Park.

Eddie Howe will want his side to get off to a good start as they look to improve on last season's top spot. However, it seems that they will find their new campaign without a new central defender as their search continues.

Newcastle are continuing negotiations for Marc Guehi

It is widely known that Newcastle are in the market for a new defender, with their intention to snap up Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. The Magpies have already seen two bids rejected for Guehi this transfer window, but that hasn't stopped the club from making a third offer.

The new bid from Newcastle is said to be worth an initial £55 million, which could rise to £60 million depending on add-ons. In the latest update, the Premier League side are now increasingly confident that their latest bid to sign Guehi will be enough to get the deal over the line.

The two clubs are still negotiating a deal for Guehi, and there is confidence from Newcastle that a deal will be agreed. The 24-year-old would be an excellent addition for Newcastle, given how well the defender has performed for Crystal Palace and England at this summer's Euro 2024.

However, the Magpies could be looking to add another defender to their squad, a player who will be more expensive than Guehi.

Bologna are worried that Newcastle will hijack the Logan Costa deal

Newcastle have already added Lloyd Kelly to their ranks this summer, but their defensive additions may not end there, as it was reported last week that the Magpies and West Ham United are both interested in Toulouse's Logan Costa.

The Serie A team, Bologna, has also shown that they want this player, but so far the money has been withdrawn. Now, according to Il Resto del Carlino, via Sports Witness, Toulouse would rather face Newcastle than Bologna, and are expecting a “big offer” from Tyneside.

The Ligue 1 side have reportedly received a €15m (£13m) bid from Bologna, but Eddie Howe's side are hoping to make an offer of between €20m and €25m. This has led Bologna to worry about a deal for Costa, and they have started looking at other targets.

It looks like Newcastle are currently trying to get a deal done for Guehi, but with Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman still injured, another addition coming after Guehi should not be ruled out.