Newcastle United are set to open talks with Freiburg in the coming days as they step up their pursuit of midfielder Johan Manzambi.The Switzerland international has risen to wider prominence during the World Cup but was already being tracked by leading clubs and as things stand Newcastle are in the strongest position to close a deal.Manzambi is keen on the opportunity, with the St James’ Park side working to secure his signature.The Athletic reported on Tuesday Newcastle were continuing to work on a move for Manzambi, and are prioritising a move for the Switzerland international this window.Newcastle have already seen Sandro Tonali depart for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could be worth up to £100million ($133m). There is also interest from Arsenal in his central midfield partner from last season, Bruno Guimaraes, whose World Cup journey with Brazil ended on Sunday, though Newcastle have strongly insisted he is not for sale.
Newcastle are also working to complete a deal for 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax.Manzambi, 20, has provided three goals and two assists for Switzerland at the World Cup. Switzerland face Colombia in the last-16 on Tuesday.The midfielder scored a second-half double from the bench in a 19-minute cameo against Bosnia and Herzegovina before scoring again after starting Switzerland’s final group game against co-hosts Canada.Manzambi has made 58 appearances for Freiburg, scoring nine times, since making his debut for the club in August 2024. He started his career as Swiss club Servette, before moving to Freiburg’s academy in 2023.Manzambi signing would be a coup for NewcastleAnalysis by Chris WaughManzambi is Newcastle’s priority target and is a player they have admired for a long while. He has not only caught their eye at the World Cup, but over the past year or so because of his direct, ball-carrying and game-defining interventions for Freiburg, too.With Joe Willock likely to leave as he has entered the final 12 months of his contract, Manzambi is the ideal No 8 to replace, and hopefully even upgrade, on the former Arsenal youngster.The sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon would be tempered significantly if a player of the calibre of Manzambi can be signed. He has drawn huge excitement with his performances at the World Cup and still has massive room for growth.He looks ideally suited for the Premier League and Eddie Howe will be keen for Newcastle to pull this coup off, given Manzambi has plenty of potential suitors.
