How Newcastle plan to replace Bruno Guimaraes

When it rains, it pours, and it’s certainly been lashing it down at Newcastle United for the past 12 months.

How Newcastle extricate themselves from these seemingly endless setbacks in the transfer market remains to be seen, and Eddie Howe needs to find a solution before the window slams shut.

There is a lot of time until then – just over two months, in fact – but Howe and the other decision-makers at St. James’ Park need to clear the negative clouds hanging over the club ahead of the new campaign, ensuring Newcastle are well positioned to challenge for passage back into Europe.

The Toon’s drop-off in the Premier League has been stark, and it needs to be swiftly reversed. However, it’s proving difficult to make headway when it feels like Howe is dealing with a mass exodus.

How Newcastle are combating interest in star players

Anthony Gordon has already been sold to Barcelona for £69m. That one was acceptable for the Tyneside persuasion, though the subsequent failure to wrap up a deal for Victor Munoz has left a bitter taste in the mouth.

More concerning is the swarm of interest in the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both of whom are the subject of offers from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal respectively.

To lose both midfielder this summer would be disastrous, tearing a hole through the fabric of this team’s identity. But we have to be pragmatic about the situation: Newcastle have no European football to look forward to, and it’s entirely possible that one of the maestros will leave.

Should that happen, a top-class replacement will be needed, and though PIF have pulled out of the race to sign Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund, they do have another Bundesliga talent on their radar.

As per correspondent Craig Hope, Newcastle are interested in signing Johan Manzambi from Freiburg this summer. The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the biggest breakout stars at the World Cup, supercharging Switzerland’s advancement to the knockout stage.

With a £42m transfer value, this would be a comparatively affordable signing for the Magpies, landing someone who has the all-action ability to establish himself as Guimaraes’ long-term replacement.

Why Manzambi can replace Guimaraes at Newcastle

Manzambi is young, but he has made considerable progress since bursting onto the scene with Freiburg in 2024, quickly establishing himself as an “absolute difference-maker“, as has been said by talent scout Jacek Kulig more recently for his performances at the World Cup.

His usage of his pace and power and physicality is a thing to behold, and it could allow him to succeed Guimaraes in the Newcastle midfield.

It would be nice if Newcastle managed to keep hold of their skipper this summer, allowing Manzambi to learn the craft from one of the best before eventually taking his shirt, but it might not be possible, with Arsenal encroaching on the Brazil international.

He’s been all flashiness and flair at the World Cup, but for Freiburg in Germany, Manzambi has shown plenty of multi-functionality, winning 6.6 duels on average each game last season, covering plenty of ground and winning the ball back from opponents.

Manzambi is bound to attract interest from further suitors, but Newcastle now need to show that they can finish off a deal when setting their sights on a top target, offering him a contract and a route toward superstardom over the next several years.

After all, had Guimaraes not chosen Newcastle when leaving Lyon in January 2022, he might not have enjoyed the development which has propelled him to a world-class level. Hopefully, Manzambi recognises the gains to be made from moving to Tyneside this summer.

Manzambi is young, so there would be an element of risk involved with a deal this summer, but he has so much potential, and could easily end up becoming a linchpin at the heart of Howe’s Newcastle midfield.

If Guimaraes is sold for a significant fee this summer, the Swiss midfielder could be the perfect replacement.