Newcastle United have plenty of time to make some signings this summer, but they cannot afford to do so during the break in the transfer window and continue to lose top targets to their Premier League rivals.
Johan Manzambi is set to sign for Aston Villa and, at the moment, the Magpies’ every move feels like a ritual of humiliation, but The Athletic’s David Ornstein insists Thun bosses are by no means convinced the Swiss midfielder is sold on their project and are therefore keeping their options open.
How would they respond? Newcastle need to sign a midfielder, but they have options at their disposal and there are other areas to strengthen.
Who benefits from Newcastle missing out on Manzambi?
Newcastle already sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for £100m this summer, and losing Arsenal-linked Bruno Guimarães will leave a huge hole in Eddie Howe’s projects.
However, Sean Stuhr has already been signed in a £23m package, with the 18-year-old midfielder joining from Ajax and with big expectations on his shoulders. He has the ability to do big things, pass like a maestro, and have composure in tough situations.
However, someone else could benefit from the collapse of Manzambi’s contract, with PIF officials understood to have moved on to Atalanta star Ederson, who they could pursue now that a move to Manchester United has failed.
What’s more, Louis Miley can’t afford to be saddened by recent events. Hailed by pundit Pat Nevin as “England’s next young superstar”, he made his mark at Newcastle last season and will not want to see his path shut.
League form comparison (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | miley | sin |
Match (start) | 23(15) | 27(26) |
Goal + Assist | 1+4 | 5+4 |
touch* | 48.7 | 55.1 |
Exact path* | 32.8 (90%) | 29.4 (84%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 3 | 6 |
Key pass* | 0.7 | 0.7 |
It was successful. dribble* | 0.5 (86%) | 1.2 (52%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 3.0 | 4.1 |
Def. Donation* | 3.7 | 3.7 |
Win a duel* | 3.9 (66%) | 6.6 (59%) |
Jacob Ramsey also showed flashes of talent at St James’ Park last season, and while Howe and others will need to continue pursuing the signing of a new midfielder, there are ready-made options available that could allow the Toon to pivot to other areas where they need work.
Newcastle prepare huge bid for Bundesliga star
There is a lot of uncertainty for Newcastle at the moment, but there is plenty of time to iron things out and strengthen Howe’s struggling side.
Manzambi may not be a candidate, but Newcastle also need to improve their quality up front, and despite the Three Lions star joining Barcelona and Bazmana Toure replacing Anthony Gordon, it’s clear something is still missing up front.
Now, according to Germany’s FussballDaten, Newcastle are set to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane and are not swayed by an asking price of £87m.
The 19-year-old burst onto the German scene last season, scoring five goals and notching a further four in just 12 starts.
Fast, furious and stylish on the ball, Kofane is a modern-day-tailored striker, all of which lends him a deadly edge in front of goal. Manchester United are also firmly in the race for the new star, so there will naturally be concerns about whether Howe and co can get the deal done, but if they do, they could be signing a superstar of the future.
Nick Woltemade and Ioan Wissa were flattered to deceive on Tyneside last season. The new season could bring about a change of fortunes there, but Kofane, hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “one of the most exciting strikers in the world”, may have the qualities to surpass both players.
Kofane completed 83% of his passes and 58% of his dribbles in the Bundesliga last season, and although he is still learning his craft, Leverkusen’s £87m demand may suggest he could become the crown jewel of Thun’s summer transfer window, surpassing the influence of players like Manzambi.
Manzambi may have the physicality of an attacking midfielder, but does he have the on-the-ball quality to replace Tonali, and perhaps Guimarães?
Sluggish attacking form formed one of the core of Newcastle’s decline under Howe last season, but Cofane’s all-round attacking game could see him emerge as the perfect new dimension, someone who could develop into Tyneside’s talisman and put Newcastle back in the ascendancy.
Admittedly, Thun need a new midfielder, but Kofane, who comes from a similar background to young Alexander Isak, would look like the more exciting addition here. He is ready to explode and will eventually become one of the most feared forwards in Europe.
