Why Newcastle want to sign £51m midfielder even after landing Steur

Newcastle United have suffered in the transfer market over the past couple of years, but they might just be turning a corner, advancing across a number of key deals.

When Victor Munoz decided to abandon his move to St. James’ Park and instead sign for Liverpool, it felt like Groundhog Day on Tyneside, the £34.5m winger having been chosen as the perfect profile to replace Anthony Gordon.

It felt like a nasty continuation after last summer’s wretched luck in the market, but the Magpies are now showing signs of life, having signed Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim for £43m.

Howe and sporting director Ross Wilson’s work is far from done, though, with further arrivals expected in the centre of the park.

Newcastle in talks to sign World Cup star

Newcastle need to fix up next season, with Eddie Howe just about keeping his job after a startling drop-off last year in the Premier League.

But Toure has joined, Ewan Jaouen between the sticks too. Now, moreover, the Magpies have silently won the race for Ajax prodigy Sean Steur, who will complete a transfer rising to £23m.

The 18-year-old is one of the most exciting midfield talents in the world, excellent on the ball and already showing the signs of conducting play as he continues to evolve.

He will slot right into Howe’s system, but Steur alone will not spearhead the Toon resurgence.

According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, that duty falls on Johan Manzambi’s shoulders, with Newcastle looking to close a deal for a talent who could outclass Steur in Howe’s squad.

The Athletic’s lead correspondent claims that Newcastle are set to open talks for Freiburg midfielder Manzambi, who is keen on the opportunity to move to the Premier League and play for the Toon.

The £51m-rated Swiss international is only 20 years old, but has established himself as a game-changing player for his nation at the World Cup, and his direct and dangerous take on the midfield craft could see him become an instant powerhouse at the heart of the Toon’s set-up.

Why Manzambi would outclass Steur for Newcastle

Steur is tipped for big things. He started 13 Eredivisie matches for Ajax and is growing into an exciting and well-rounded playmaker. Howe has probably made the move with the view that he can grow into Tonali’s long-term replacement.

At the World Cup, the Swiss international has been a fantastic wildcard, scoring three goals and supplying two assists. He has picked up an injury and will miss Switzerland’s last 16 tie against Colombia this evening.

Swiss manager Murat Yakin called the midfielder a “special player” this summer. That barely scratches the surface, and considering how he is still growing into his skin, it’s fair to say that the future is incredibly exciting for this one, who has so many variations to his game.

Ever-upbeat Newcastle correspondent Luke Edwards said that Tonali “was average last season“, and so Manzambi would potentially mark himself as a better signing than Steur from the get-go, given that he is already offering more than one of Newcastle’s mainstays over the past few years.

Manzambi might have drawn the plaudits for his potency in attack over the past month with Switzerland at the World Cup, but he has been more measured domestically, for Freiburg, with firm and active defending to complement his natural desire to progress play forward.

Bruno Guimaraes isn’t dribbling so frequently these days, and the skipper’s influence as a deep-lying playmaker could free up Manzambi to wreak havoc across the midfield, into attack.

Steur is one for the future. Oh, he may well make an impact next term, but the technically gifted Dutchman is not the finished product. Manzambi’s physicality and athleticism underpins an exciting technical ability, and it’s exactly what the Magpies need to move forward and back into the limelight.