The club-record signing Newcastle could make to replace Guimaraes

Newcastle United are not in a good moment, but Matthias Jaissle has impressed since taking the loose reins after Eddie Howe stepped down from his post last year.

The legacy that that great man leaves behind is one that will withstand the test of time. He took Newcastle from relegation-fodder status and re-established them as European heavyweights. The Magpies lifted the Carabao Cup title after beating Liverpool at Wembley in 2025.

But it’s all come undone, and Jaissle has his work cut out after Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes’ respective sales to Premier League rivals.

How Newcastle are countering the loss of their midfield

Newcastle have lost the very essence of the Howe era. It is well and truly a new dawn, and while Jaissle’s aggressive, front-foot tactics could help lift St. James’ Park back off the floor, there’s no question that there will be a different feel to the club.

In Guimaraes, Newcastle have lost their on-field leader, the Brazilian once said by club legend Alan Shearer to have been “at the heart of everything good” in Howe’s system.

Tonali’s impact might not quite have matched that of his Brazilian peer over the course of his Toon career, but he still made a title-winning impact before departing for a £100m fee.

The Italy international is one of the most physical and intense midfielders in Europe, blending those qualities perfectly with an elegance and deftness on the ball that is near inimitable.

To be fair, Newcastle have signed exciting replacements – albeit they are works in progress. Aladji Bamba, 20, has arrived from Monaco for £35m, bringing a combative number-six style that Newcastle will miss without Tonali in the mix. Sean Steur, meanwhile, is a gifted playmaker, though the £23m signing from Ajax is only 18 years old.

These are exciting additions, but Newcastle need more. They need experience, else Jaissle will be sold short at the start of an exciting new era.

Newcastle have found a new midfield solution

How will Newcastle fare next season? Perhaps Howe has left Tyneside in good hands, with Steur and Bamba set to blossom into superstars. But there’s no question that something else is needed, another dimension.

According to Sky Germany, via Sport Witness, an offer has been made to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, though the Bundesliga side are holding out for about £103m, a figure the Toon are understandably unwilling to pay.

Nmecha has emerged as an elite midfielder over the past year, thriving for Dortmund before taking centre stage with Germany at the World Cup. He still needs to be convinced by the Jaissle project, but the Magpies’ persistent interest could pay off as the window enters the latter stage.

For example, both Brazil and Germany flattered to deceive at the World Cup, but Guimaraes and Nmecha were among the standouts for their nations. It wouldn’t be unfair to argue that Nmecha outshone the new Arsenal man, even with his detrimental penalty miss notwithstanding.

In the build-up to the tournament, Nagelsmann hailed his protege as a “world-class player“, and though Germany struggled, Nmecha did indeed shine throughout. His precise passing and the combative protection of his backline emphasised a skillset that would do well in the Premier League.

After all, Nmecha grew up in England, spending over a decade in Manchester City’s youth system before signing for Wolfsburg in 2021. There is little to suggest that he would not have the requisite qualities for success at a club such as Newcastle, possibly even assuming a leadership role, inspiring young newbies such as Steur and Bamba.

Nmecha might have something Guimaraes-esque about him, but his skill on the ball and progressiveness has led to claims in Germany that he is something like Paul Pogba, ex-Manchester United phenomenon.

In that, he could also bring a flavour of prime Tonali to Newcastle, instilling at the heart of Jaissle’s system an energy and intensity that will be sorely missed in the Italian’s absence next year.

In the Bundesliga last season, Nmecha won fur duels per game, completing 87% of his passes and 57% of his dribbles. He is very much an all-rounder, and he could bring elements of both Guimaraes and Tonali’s skillset to an outfit in transition.

If Jaissle and co pull this one off, it could have a significant impact on the year ahead for Newcastle.