Newcastle United are already closing in on a replacement for Sandro Tonali, with the central midfielder set to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
It was always going to be difficult for Newcastle to hold onto their top players, after missing out on European football entirely, with Anthony Gordon joining FC Barcelona earlier in the window.
Initially, Victor Munoz was identified as a replacement for Gordon, but Liverpool swooped in to sign the Spanish winger, which meant the Magpies had to move onto alternative targets, and it has been widely reported that a deal for Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure has been agreed.
Eddie Howe will also need to improve his options in the middle of the park, with Tottenham striking an agreement to sign Tonali, who has agreed personal terms.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Newcastle will certainly need to sign a new central midfielder this summer, given that Tonali has been one of their most important players ever since arriving from AC Milan, missing just five Premier League games across the past two seasons. |
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Finances |
It has previously been reported SC Freiburg could demand £42m for Johan Manzambi, which will be affordable for the Magpies, having raised significant funds from the sale of Gordon, while Tonali is closing in on a big-money move to Spurs. |
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Insight |
Although Manzambi is just 20-years-old, he is already a regular starter for Freiburg, registering five goals and five assists in 25 Bundesliga outings last season. Journalist Bence Bocsak has also been full of praise for the youngster, saying: “He’s technically gifted, strong and very energetic. Always wants to be involved. Constant runs off the ball, good at manipulating space and great link-up play.” |
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Impact |
The youngster is seemingly being targeted as a like-for-like replacement for Tonali. Both midfielders created six big chances in the league last season, suggesting they possess similar skill-sets. However, another midfielder may also be required, given that Bruno Guimaraes is in talks to join Arsenal. |
Newcastle enter “advanced talks” to sign Johan Manzambi
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Newcastle are now in “advanced talks” to sign the Freiburg star.
Discussions remain ongoing, which suggests the Magpies still need to iron out a few details, but they are “optimistic” about getting a deal over the line.
Newcastle need to sign experienced midfielder alongside Johan Manzambi
The youngster is already making a major impact for Freiburg at senior level, recording the fifth-highest number of minutes played in the squad in the Bundesliga last season.
Johan Manzambi’s Bundesliga performance
- 2,094 minutes played
- 10 goal involvements
- 1.4 successful dribbles per 90
- 20 chances created
- 1.2 interceptions per 90
- 4.7 recoveries per 90
However, Newcastle could be set to lose two of their most important players this summer, with Tonali and Guimaraes amassing 232 Premier League appearances between them.
As such, Newcastle may need to sign a more experienced midfielder alongside Manzambi, and that is seemingly what they are planning to do, having entered discussions to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha.
The 25-year-old has made 112 appearances for the German side, including 27 in the Champions League, indicating he has the necessary experience to replace Guimaraes or Tonali in the engine room.
Ranked: The best midfielders in the Premier League (2025/26)
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