Newcastle United have plenty of time to make some signings this summer, but they can’t afford it while the transfer window is over and they continue to lose out to their top Premier League rivals.
Johan Manzambi is set to sign for Aston Villa, and while it feels like every move the Magpies are making is tantamount to a culture of humiliation at the moment, David Ornstein of The Athletic insists Toon bosses are never convinced the Swiss midfielder is sold on their project, and are therefore keeping their options open.
How will they react? Newcastle will need to sign a midfielder, but they have options at their disposal – and other areas to strengthen apart from that.
Who can benefit from Newcastle missing Manzambi
Newcastle have already sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for £100m this summer, and losing Arsenal-linked Bruno Guimaraes would tear a hole in the fabric of Eddie Howe’s project.
However, with Sean Steur already signed for a £23m package, the 18-year-old joins Ajax and carries the expected weight. He is gifted with great advice, maestro-like passing and composure in tight situations.
Someone else could benefit from Manzambi’s deal, however, as PIF officials are understood to have turned to Atalanta star Ederson, who is likely to be involved now that his move to Manchester United is complete.
In addition, Lewis Miley can not be sad about these recent events. “England’s next star”, as he has been crowned by pundit Pat Nevin, shone at Newcastle last season, and will not want to see his path blocked.
|
League form comparison (2025/26) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Math (* in 90) |
Miley |
Manzambi |
|
The same (begins) |
23 (15) |
27 (26) |
|
Terms + Help |
1 + 4 |
5 + 4 |
|
Contact* |
48.7 |
55.1 |
|
Accurate passes* |
32.8 (90%) |
29.4 (84%) |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
3 |
6 |
|
Key passes* |
0.7 |
0.7 |
|
Success. dribble* |
0.5 (86%) |
1.2 (52%) |
|
Football recovery* |
3.0 |
4.1 |
|
Def. donations* |
3.7 |
3.7 |
|
Duels won* |
3.9 (66%) |
6.6 (59%) |
Jacob Ramsey also showed flashes of quality in St. James’ Park last season, and while Howe and co need to maintain their pursuit of a new midfielder, there are ready-made options available, and that could allow the Toon to move around in other areas that need work.
Newcastle are preparing a big-money bid for the Bundesliga star
There is a lot of uncertainty at Newcastle right now, but plenty of time to put their problems to rights and strengthen Howe’s struggling side.
Manzambi may not be on the cards, but Newcastle also need to add quality to their forward line, and although Bazoumana Toure has replaced Anthony Gordon as the Three Lions star has joined Barcelona, it is clear that the forwards are still lacking something.
However, according to Germany’s FussballDaten, Newcastle are ready to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, who appears undeterred by their £87m valuation.
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene in Germany last season, scoring five goals and providing four more in just 12 starts.
Fast, furious and stylish on the ball, Kofane is a modernized striker, all of which support a dangerous edge in front of goal. Manchester United are also firmly in the running for the rising star, so fears will naturally arise that Howe and co could seal the deal – but if they do, they could be getting themselves a future star.
Both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa praised Tyneside’s exploits last season, and while the new season may see a change of fortune there, Kofane may have the quality to surpass both men, hailed as “one of the most exciting strikers in the world” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Kofane completed 83% of his passes and 58% of his balls in the Bundesliga last season, and although he is still learning the trade, Leverkusen’s £87m demands may suggest he will be the crown jewel of the Toon’s summer transfer window, surpassing the impact of the likes of Manzambi.
Manzambi may be an attacking midfielder, but does he have the quality on the ball to replace Tonali, and perhaps Guimaraes?
A dull attack formed part of Newcastle’s decline under Howe last season, and Kofane’s attacking play could see him emerge as a whole new side, who could develop into a talisman on Tyneside and fire Newcastle back into the top flight.
Of course, the Toon need a new midfielder but Kofane – cut from the same cloth as young Alexander Isak – would appear to be a very exciting addition here. He is ready and waiting to explode, to become one of the most feared attackers in Europe before too long.
