How Newcastle can finally replace Elliot Anderson

Newcastle United don’t have Elliot Anderson in their ranks, but they were reminded of the 23-year-old’s supreme ability as England defeated Mexico at the Azteca.

In October 2025, Eddie Howe expressed an interest in bringing the Three Lions star back to St. James’ Park. That ship has sailed, with Manchester City recently signing Anderson in a record-breaking £116m deal.

Anderson is a phenomenal midfielder, relentless and repetitive in winning the ball and progressing play. Repetition does not come at the expense of dynamism with this one, and there’s no question that he would have been the perfect replacement for Sandro Tonali.

Another frustrating development. Tonali has left Tyneside and joined Tottenham Hotspur in a £100m move, creating space in Howe’s midfield for a replacement.

Supporters are waiting with bated breath, for the Toon cannot afford to botch this one.

Newcastle in talks to sign Tonali replacement

Tonali’s departure is a tough one to take. The 26-year-old wanted to go, and the fact that he has picked Tottenham, who have recorded back-to-back 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, must frustrate the Toon persuasion.

However, for all Tonali’s first-rate ability, it’s probably fair to say that he wasn’t at his best for large parts of the 2025/26 season, and a nine-digit figure has been understandably irresistible for PIF.

Now, though, the onus is on replacing him with someone who can guide Newcastle back to higher ground in the Premier League while allowing Howe’s team to challenge for silverware domestically.

As per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, despite concrete negotiations not yet starting, Newcastle have been informed of the finances it would take to sign Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi during initial talks, with the 20-year-old rising to global attention for his performances with Switzerland at the World Cup.

Freiburg’s demands are becoming more intense. The Germans want €60m (£51m) before green-lighting his sale this summer, and therein lies the potential problem.

Newcastle need to avoid overpaying, even for such an exciting young star, but a growing list of rival suitors calls for Howe and company to wrap things up quickly.

Why Manzambi could be a bigger talent than Anderson

Anderson is the cream of the crop, and so any claim that Newcastle are in pursuit of an even bigger talent would be met with an understandable measure of skepticism.

But Manzambi might just be that guy. Swiss manager Murat Yakin called the midfielder a “special player” following Switzerland’s 2-0 win over Algeria to move to the last 16, the 20-year-old claiming an assist and putting in a combative and tireless display.

Yakin also said “you can really use him in every position“, and though he has been deployed as something of an impact midfielder behind the frontline for his nation, Manzambi has shown in the Bundesliga that he can play an accomplished role in deeper areas.

With all this in mind, it’s certainly not out of the question that Manzambi could grow into a world-beater of a midfielder, someone who can rival Anderson as the Premier League’s standout number eight.

At the World Cup, Manzambi has scored three goals and supplied two assists, starting only two of his nation’s four fixtures. His role has been streamlined, but that is not how he has been utilised for Freiburg in Germany.

There, Manzambi has been an “absolute difference-maker“, coming up clutch in the final third but also producing the secure and strong performances that the likes of Anderson have put in in the Premier League.

Intense duellers have always played a crucial role for Howe at Newcastle, and Manzambi certainly fits the right mould there.

Newcastle never got to enjoy Anderson at his full capacity, the homegrown prospect sold before he could really get going.

It’s one which will continue to sting, but if Newcastle can get their hands on Manzambi, they might just sign an even bigger talent.