NEWCASTLE United are considering their next move after Crystal Palace rejected their third offer for Marc Guehi - with the Magpies still hopeful of striking a deal for their leading defensive target.
But United have lined up alternative targets in case they're unable to land Guehi, who is understood to be keen on the move to Tyneside.
Newcastle's third bid was believed to be worth in the region of £60m but Palace chairman Steve Parish hinted the offer would be rejected earlier this week when he said: "It's not near the point where we have to make a decision."
Palace are thought to want at least £65m for the England international, with the Magpies now weighing up their next step.
Parish said this week: "Nobody has got to the valuation yet. If you want a superstar player you need to pay superstar money.
"We love having him and would love to keep him. If someone else wants to have him they need to make it really difficult for us. He's a generational talent."
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Guehi himself spoke to the media in the capital this week and insisted his only focus was on Palace's Premier League opener against Brentford this weekend.
And Palace boss Oliver Glasner was asked whether he's resigned to losing Guehi to Newcastle, saying: "There's so many rumours. Not just about Marc. About Joachim Andersen. About [Jordan] Ayew. About [Eberechi] Eze.
"Many rumours and I will be happy when it's September 1. The transfer window is closed. I will go into a pub and have a Guinness and relax."
Newcastle do have other targets in mind, with Howe desperate to add to his backline. Injured pair Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are both facing long spells on the sidelines.
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