What’s most frustrating is the feeling of resignation, the resigned shrug as you watch Newcastle United being taken over by their Premier League rivals yet again.
Johan Manzambi will not sign for Newcastle, who have spent weeks making arrangements to finalize a £50m deal for the new Swiss superstar. The 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder chose Aston Villa instead.
Johan Manzambi at the 2026 World Cup | |
|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | # |
Match (start) | 4(2) |
Goal + Assist | 3+2 |
touch* | 24.8 |
Exact path* | 10.8 (78%) |
Opportunities created* | 0.8 |
Loss of ownership* | 8.5 |
Successful. dribble* | 1.3 |
Ball recovery rate* | 1.3 |
Def. Donation* | 0.8 |
Duel (win)* | 2.3 (29%) |
It’s hard to know what to say. What should I say? Fool me once, it’s embarrassing. You had fooled me so many times, but clearly something had gone painfully wrong.
While this clichéd phrase sadly applies to Eddie Howe and Newcastle, some small solace can be taken from the fact that there is plenty of time for decision-makers to accelerate a deal with one of their other targets.
How can Newcastle solve Manzambi’s blow?
Newcastle’s uncertain midfield conundrum has been thrown into further doubt by Bruno Guimarães’ desire to sign for Premier League champions Arsenal.
Sandro Tonali has already been sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £100m, so it’s important the Magpies package Howe’s engine room with quality new parts.
For example, you’ve been interested in Monaco’s Lamine Camara for a while, so why not take the plunge and accelerate your plans?
Reports from Italy on Sunday claim that Thun maintain an interest in Atalanta’s Ederson even after a proposed move for the Brazilian to Manchester United fell through.
Content creator Damiano El Faina has even hailed him as ‘the best defensive midfielder in the world’, and with United out of action, there is a sense that Howe and co could win here if they bring their interest in the £35m worth midfielder to the fore.
Newcastle have a lot of top-class talent, but they need to gain experience. However, fans can rest assured that the club’s long-term future is secure, with a potential superstar already signed this summer.
Newcastle have already signed a bigger talent than Manzambi
Manzambi is only 20 years old but has the physicality, athleticism and technical qualities to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. It’s certainly frustrating, but Newcastle must now focus on other goals.
The Swiss World Cup star has the potential to become a true superstar, but Newcastle may actually sign an even bigger signing this summer in Sean Stuhr, who joined from Ajax for a reported £23m.
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Sture is only 18 years old, but he has already shown a lot of ability as a senior player, starting 14 Eredivisie games, winning challenges and creating passing patterns.
In three Champions League appearances (two starts), he won 60% of his duels and completed 91% of his passes, and did not hesitate to start in big matches such as Qarabag and Villarreal.
Dutch football expert Michael Bell said he has the potential to be world-class, and Sture’s technical command and maturity and composure on the ball have a very Orange feel to them that could benefit Tyneside.
Newcastle correspondent Luke Edwards said Tonali was “average last season”, and it’s safe to say that the right replacement could bring about a major shake-up to the Tyneside squad.
More needs to be done, but if Sture floats from a physical and strength standpoint, he could be a real winner in the middle of the park, and maybe even outshine Manzambi, who is two years older.
Manzambi’s loss to their Premier League rivals is the latest blow for a side desperately in need of a reprieve in the transfer window.
It doesn’t look like it’s going to be anytime soon for Howe’s side, but they have signed potential superstar Sture and the young Dutchman could take the lead in the coming years.
