{"id":49574,"date":"2026-07-02T22:02:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T22:02:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:02:17","slug":"newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali\/","title":{"rendered":"Newcastle are in contract talks with Johan Manzambi to replace Sandro Tonali"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali\/#Newcastle_enter_%E2%80%98advanced_negotiations_to_sign_Johan_Manzambi\" >Newcastle enter &#8216;advanced negotiations&#8217; to sign Johan Manzambi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali\/#Newcastle_need_to_sign_an_experienced_midfielder_alongside_Johan_Manzambi\" >Newcastle need to sign an experienced midfielder alongside Johan Manzambi<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/newcastle-are-in-contract-talks-with-johan-manzambi-to-replace-sandro-tonali\/#Ranking_Premier_Leagues_best_midfielders_202526\" >Ranking: Premier League&#8217;s best midfielders (2025\/26)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Newcastle United are already close to signing a replacement for Sandro Tonali, with the central midfielder set to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>It has always been difficult for Newcastle to retain top players, with Anthony Gordon joining FC Barcelona early on and missing out on European football altogether.<\/p>\n<p>V\u00edctor Mu\u00f1oz was initially mentioned as a potential replacement for Gordon, but Liverpool&#8217;s sudden decision to sign the Spanish winger meant the Magpies had to move to an alternative target, with it widely reported that a deal had been agreed to sign Hoffenheim&#8217;s Bazmana Toure.<\/p>\n<p>Tottenham will also need to improve their midfield options with Eddie Howe signing Tonali, who has agreed personal terms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"row\">\n<p>Football Fancast Verdict<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">\n<p><strong>reliability<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<p>Given that Tonali has been one of the most important players since joining from AC Milan and has missed just five Premier League games in the past two seasons, Newcastle will certainly need to sign a new central midfielder this summer.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">\n<p>finances<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<p>It was previously reported that Freiburg could demand \u00a342m for Johan Manzambi, with Tonali closing in on a big-money move to Spurs, but it would be a reasonable price for the Magpies, who raised a significant amount of money from the sale of Gordon.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">\n<p>insight<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<p>Manzambi is only 20 years old, but he is already a regular starter at Freiburg, scoring five goals and providing five assists in 25 Bundesliga games last season. Journalist Bence Boxak also praised the young man, saying: <em>&#8220;He is technically gifted, strong and very energetic. He always wants to be involved. Constant runs off the ball, is good at manipulating space and has great link-up play.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">\n<p>impact<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<td>\n<p>The youngster appears to be being targeted as Tonali&#8217;s successor. Both midfielders created six big chances in the league last season, suggesting they have similar skill sets. However, given that Bruno Guimar\u00e3es is in talks to join Arsenal, another midfielder may also be needed.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"newcastle-enter-quot-advanced-talks-quot-to-sign-johan-manzambi\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Newcastle_enter_%E2%80%98advanced_negotiations_to_sign_Johan_Manzambi\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Newcastle enter &#8216;advanced negotiations&#8217; to sign Johan Manzambi <\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Newcastle are currently in &#8220;advanced negotiations&#8221; to sign the Freiburg star, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.<\/p>\n<p>Talks are still ongoing and the Magpies have indicated they still need to iron out some details, but are &#8220;optimistic&#8221; about getting an agreement over the line.<\/p>\n<p><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"newcastle-need-to-sign-experienced-midfielder-alongside-johan-manzambi\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Newcastle_need_to_sign_an_experienced_midfielder_alongside_Johan_Manzambi\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Newcastle need to sign an experienced midfielder alongside Johan Manzambi<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The youngster has already made a big impact for Freiburg at the top level, and last season he played the fifth-most minutes in the Bundesliga for the club.<\/p>\n<p>Johan Manzambi&#8217;s performance in the Bundesliga<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>                                        Playing time 2,094 minutes\n                        <\/li>\n<li>\n<p>                                        10 goals involved\n                        <\/li>\n<li>\n<p>                                        1.4 successful dribbles per 90 attempts\n                        <\/li>\n<li>\n<p>                                        20 opportunities were created\n                        <\/li>\n<li>\n<p>                                        1.2 interceptions per 90\n                        <\/li>\n<li>\n<p>                                        4.7 recoveries per 90\n                        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>However, Newcastle could lose two of their most important players this summer, with Tonali and Guimar\u00e3es making 232 Premier League appearances.<\/p>\n<p>Newcastle may therefore need to sign a more experienced midfielder alongside Manzambi, but they appear to be planning to do so, having entered into negotiations to sign Borussia Dortmund&#8217;s Felix Nmeka.<\/p>\n<p>The 25-year-old has made 112 appearances for the German team, including 27 in the Champions League, showing he has the experience needed to replace Guimar\u00e3es and Tonali in the engine room.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"ranked-the-best-midfielders-in-the-premier-league\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ranking_Premier_Leagues_best_midfielders_202526\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tRanking: Premier League&#8217;s best midfielders (2025\/26)<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Is anyone approaching Bruno Fernandes now?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Newcastle United are already close to signing a replacement for Sandro Tonali, with the central midfielder set to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It has always been difficult for Newcastle to retain top players, with Anthony Gordon joining FC Barcelona early on and missing out on European football altogether. V\u00edctor Mu\u00f1oz was initially mentioned [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[876,40,6609,9437,47,815,6647,488,8031],"class_list":["post-49574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-contract","tag-football","tag-johan","tag-manzambi","tag-newcastle","tag-replace","tag-sandro","tag-talks","tag-tonali"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49574\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}