Newcastle have agreed a £51.5m deal with Freiburg that should see the Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League.
The 20-year-old, who has shone during this summer’s World Cup, is expected to sign a long-term contract at St James’ Park but the transfer will not be finalised while Switzerland remain in the World Cup. Manzambi, who has been widely coveted this summer, is currently struggling with a minor knee injury and Murat Yakin, Switzerland’s head coach, is unsure as to whether he will recover in time for the quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday.
Newcastle, meanwhile, remain insistent they have no intention of selling Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal but are aware the Brazil midfielder has become unsettled on Tyneside following the recent departures of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon to Tottenham and Barcelona respectively.
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It is possible the offer of a new contract could change that narrative but should Arsenal – who have yet to make a formal offer for Guimarães – bid in the region of £75m, Newcastle will have a decision to make. Much depends on how hard the 28-year-old – who could see his wages almost double in north London – pushes to leave.
