The Transfers Podcast: Ornstein talks Ugarte to Man Utd, Newcastle's Guehi saga, Chelsea and Osimhen

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 22 Aug 2024 22:10 BST
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, The Transfers Podcast — © IMAGO

The Transfers Podcast, powered by FootballTransfers.com and hosted by Duncan Castles, brings you the latest news and insight from the world of football, including the latest on Manuel Ugarte, Marc Guehi and Newcastle, Chelsea's move for Victor Osimhen, featuring The Athletic's David Ornstein.

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Chelsea's preference for Osimhen

Chelsea are involved in a protracted saga for a deal for Osimhen. The club, despite having Nicolas Jackson in their ranks, still want to have a No.9. The club have blitzed the transfer window once again this summer, but the London side are still not done in their business, as they look to make a push for top-four under Enzo Maresca.

But while the club want to bring him on a loan from Napoli, the player is not so sure.

"The preference of Chelsea, if he is to, come, is a loan of some description and let's see if and where that goes," Ornstein told The Transfers Podcast.

"One of the key factors behind that is the lack of activity, relatively speaking, from the Saudi Pro League which was absolutely jaw-dropping a year ago. And that was fueling The European market and in particular the Premier League and the knock-on effect was that they could spend huge sums themselves. And that hasn't happened so far.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

Marc Guehi and Newcastle

Newcastle have made Marc Guehi their number one target for the summer. They have made an offer of £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons.

While that has not been accepted yet, there is now confidence a deal could be struck.

Ornstein said: "The Marc Guehi saga has definitely not reached a conclusion one way or the other. Newcastle United have been knocking on the door for quite some time.

"The clubs were in contact. At that time, Newcastle got going at what they thought was a fair valuation to get the deal done. Crystal Palace saw it differently. It was in and around the £50m pound mark and Crystal Palace, Steve Parish, their chairman and co-owner wanted more like £70m, maybe even sort of Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana levels."

© IMAGO - Marc Guehi has been linked to Newcastle

"I don't think that was ever realistic in this market market. He's a fantastic player, great age, brilliant character, but he's not played European football. He's only got. Two years to go. He's actually within the last 24 months of his contract. I think Crystal Palace want £65million plus £5m in bonuses. So there's a discrepancy."

Man Utd and Manuel Ugarte

Manchester United are trying to bring Manuel Ugarte in from Paris Saint-Germain. The club wish to bolster their central midfield even though it looks as though Casemiro will be staying now.

PSG are holding out for £64m, but Man Utd wish to lower that amount. However, there is a feeling that a deal could be struck.

Ornstein gave his view of it all: "Central midfield is an area of concern, clearly. He's only had a year at PSG and he was targeted very high on Manchester United's list from, before this summer window came into the market.

Current ETV

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

PSG

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

PSG

ETV Range

€30.7M - €51.2M

"And so they started conversations. At Sporting Lisbon he was being pursued heavily by PSG, by Chelsea, and probably others too. Has not gone to plan and so there's this opportunity to strike For Manchester United for other clubs who are interested in him.

"I'm sure there could be some wiggle room on that [PSG's valuation] whether it becomes a loan with an obligation, it doesn't make much difference. That's the same as a permanent sale. And, there has been this sort of tense situation, and an unbelievable amount of reporting.

"The only thing I know as we record this, despite what everybody is seeing and asking us relentlessly, is that there's not an agreement in place yet."

Stay tuned to the Transfers Podcast for more in-depth analysis, and follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates in the world of football.