Newcastle United Q&A: Our writer Jordan Cronin on the latest with Johan Manzambi and Bruno Guimaraes.
Following on from the £18million signing of French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims, Newcastle continued their summer spending last week with a double swoop, completing the £43million capture of Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim and the £23million signing of Dutch midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax.
Eddie Howe’s side now hope to finalise a deal for Freiberg and Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi, while sorting the future of club captain Bruno Guimaraes is also a top priority.
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Our writer Jordan Cronin provides the latest on the Manzambi and Guimaraes situations:
What’s the latest with Johan Manzambi?
Newcastle have verbally agreed a £50million deal for Manzambi and it is hoped the transfer can be finalised this week with Switzerland exiting the World Cup on Sunday.
The 20-year-old has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs following an excellent campaign for club and country, scoring three goals and providing two assists to help the latter reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
He did, however, miss their last 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia and the quarter-final loss to Argentina due to a knee injury, though that isn’t expected to impact his potential move to Tyneside.
Due to the level of interest in the player, sources close to Newcastle have been keen to stress that it’s not done until it’s done, with the Victor Munoz saga clear evidence of that.
Newcastle agreed a deal with Osasuna for Munoz and were even told the Spanish winger wanted to join them ahead of Liverpool before a late change of heart saw the Reds hijack the deal.
They hope history won’t repeat itself with Manzambi and want to finalise a move at the earliest opportunity now his World Cup is over.
And what about Bruno Guimaraes?
Sources close to Newcastle have neither confirmed nor denied that Bruno Guimaraes wishes to leave and join Arsenal. However, what we do know is that the midfielder is seriously considering his future at St James’ Park.
As it stands, Arsenal are yet to make contact regarding Guimaraes - something Newcastle chiefs are perplexed by given all the noise generated through intermediaries and agents.
The message from the Magpies is that their captain is not for sale but I do think he has a price, I’m just not sure it’s one Arsenal would be willing to meet.
Take Sandro Tonali for example. Newcastle sold him to Tottenham Hotspur for £100million. If the Italian is worth that, then how much is Guimaraes worth?
If he wants to go, fine, but Newcastle have every right to command whatever transfer fee they see fit. That should be communicated to Guimaraes’ camp and then it's on Arsenal to either put up or shut up.
Expect more developments this week. How Guimaraes goes about this will alter thinking, but at this stage, he isn’t expected to force an exit like Alexander Isak did 12 months ago.
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