Newcastle want Johan Manzambi as midfielder search steps up
A huge summer at St James' Park is now two weeks old, and it's fair to say the past fortnight hasn't been the most positive.
We've signed highly-rated stopper Ewen Jaouen from Reims, but the loss of Anthony Gordon has been followed by the Victor Munoz hijack, a lack of incomings and talk of our two star midfielders leaving.
Sandro Tonali remains a key Spurs target, and Arsenal's pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes is another worry, with the Brazilian absolutely priceless to this Newcastle United side.
On the subject of midfielders, we've been linked with another on Sunday evening, as two North East reporters revealed our interest in Johan Manzambi.
Mags eyeing Manzambi
As reported by Sky Sports' Keith Downie and The Mail's Craig Hope, Newcastle are interested in signing Johan Manzambi.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has impressed with SC Freiburg in recent seasons, bagging nine goals and 11 assists for the Bundesliga side in 58 appearances.
Downie reports that Manzambi is valued at around £42m, with Newcastle taking a close look at their options now Tonali and Bruno have joined Joe Willock in facing uncertain futures on Tyneside.
The Swiss international has shone at the World Cup, scoring three and creating one goal in the group phase, including a brace in Switzerland's 4-1 win over Bosnia.
Public targets a problem?
Newcastle's struggle to strike deals has been apparent for some time, and we saw it last summer as long sagas involving Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford and Benjamin Sesko all ended in defeat.
This summer, it wasn't long ago that a very public pursuit of Victor Munoz was 'close'...only for Liverpool to hijack our move for the Osasuna star.
Transfers take time, and we're still in June, but last night's Manzambi news has been met with a similar reaction online. After so many links and a few false dawns, can we get deals done before our 'interest' makes the media?
It's not always that simple, of course, but with Manzambi shining at the World Cup and tipped for a big move, we may have to move quicker than we did with Munoz.
