NEWCASTLE United are keeping their defensive options open with the Magpies having not yet been able to force a breakthrough in their bid to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

The England international remains United's leading defensive target with Eddie Howe desperate to bolster his backline ahead of next Friday's deadline.

But Palace are refusing to budge on their £65m asking price for the defender, with the Eagles holding out for that figure as a guaranteed fee.

Howe has already made clear United will walk away if they're unable to strike a deal with their Premier League rivals, and with the clock ticking the Magpies are assessing other options.

Newcastle have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen over Burkina Faso international Edmond Tapsoba, while Chelsea's Axel Disasi is also said to be on the club's radar.

Both players would be significantly cheaper options than Guehi and could potentially leave United with some remaining funds to strengthen their attack, with Howe having been keen on adding a right winger to his squad.

But striking a deal for Guehi remains Newcastle's priority as things stand.

Crystal Palace are set to lose one defender, with Fulham having agreed a deal to sign Joachim Andersen for £30m. But that won't have any impact on the Guehi situation.

The 24-year-old is now into the last two years of his contract at Selhurst Park and Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted he won't stand in the defender's way if the "right bid" arrives.

Newcastle and Palace remain in negotiations over Guehi, who captained the Eagles in their opening weekend Premier League defeat at Brentford.

United are short at centre-half with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both currently sidelined with serious injuries, and Howe's problems deepened when Fabian Schar was sent off in the opening day win over Southampton and will now have to serve a three-match ban.

Howe must decide whether Emil Krafth will partner Dan Burn at centre-half for the trip to Bournemouth this week or if Lloyd Kelly is ready to make his first competitive start against the club he left in the summer.