Newcastle United have made a steady start to the transfer window but what else do they need to do before the trading period finishes?
Johan Manzambi was injured during a Switzerland training session
Johan Manzambi was injured during a Switzerland training session(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Newcastle United legend Chris Waddle has urged the Magpies to make a move for World Cup star Johan Manzambi.
The former England star feels that the SC Freiburg star will cause havoc in Eddie Howe's team and be the perfect addition in the aftermath of sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer. Waddle is also not immune to speculation surrounding Bruno Guimaraes with a move to Arsenal and knows that incoming business is now vital.
Waddle told 10bet "Yeah, they want someone who is going to create and be dangerous. The sort of player where, when they pick the ball up, you wonder what he's going to do next because he's capable of beating men, making goals, and scoring himself. That is exactly the sort of player Newcastle need in the middle of the park.
"Looking at Newcastle at the minute, they need players. Tonali has gone, Guimaraes is heavily linked with a move, and Gordon is gone."
Newcastle tied up a £43m deal for Bazoumana Touré who will provide immediate competition on the left despite Gordon's £69.3m sale to Barcelona at the start of the summer. Waddle feels Newcastle are covered now on the flanks, and would love to see a number 10 brought in.
Waddle said: "Well, they have Harvey Barnes who can play on the left, and they've still got Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga. Yoane Wissa is there, and maybe William Osula might do well this year as he gets more games—he's quick and a bit like Isak.
"What they really need is a number 10; they need a creative player.
"They've been playing Joelinton and Guimaraes, who are all tidy, good footballers, but they don't have that bit of creativity and flair. If there were a creative number 10 available to play off the centre-forward, that would help Newcastle a lot."
However, the former Tottenham star also believes another defender would not go amiss for Howe and his recruitment team. Newcastle have already moved on Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth and are thin on the ground if they get full-back injuries.
Waddle said: "The back four seems to be getting sorted out. Obviously, Trippier has moved on, and Livramento is a concern with his injuries, but Lewis Hall had a great season.
"Malick Thiaw is at the back now with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, so that's not too bad—though maybe they could use one more centre-half.
"I just think numbers and squad depth are the main problems for Newcastle. Lewis Miley should get in the team this year; he has just signed a six-year contract, and they have high expectations for him. He is a good player who can go into that midfield, but he is very similar to what they already have.
"That's why if I were looking at the market, I'd be searching for a really creative player."
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