Newcastle United

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We asked for your views on who Newcastle should turn attention to after Aston Villa signed former target Johan Manzambi, and whether missing out on another top target is a worry.

Here are some of your comments:

Graeme: Ruben Neves for Sandro Tonali. Marcus Rashford for Anthony Gordon. Bart Verbruggen for Nick Pope. Let's get moving now!

Richard: The problem with the data-driven recruitment approach favoured these days is that everyone has access to the same data. Unearthing some unknown gem means taking a risk on a player who other teams aren't prepared to chance it on or getting involved in players who everyone is aware of and actively scouting. It's also worth remembering that for every one that Brentford or Brighton seem to discover, there's a raft of others quietly sold on for nowt. My personal pick would be Scot McTominay as he represents very little risk - no acclimation issues and he's only got better during his spell in Serie A.

Mike: Rather than spend vast amounts of money on foreign players, first look to the youth set-up in house and within the club's catchment area. You have to nurture talent, so start on your own doorstep.

Matt: I'd like us to go for Mamadou Sangare of Lens as our Tonali replacement. He could allow Jacob Ramsey and Bruno Guimaraes to play further ahead, protect the back four and chip in with goals and assists. For the more Manzambi-shaped hole, Ibrahim Maza from Bayer Leverkusen. We need a creative right winger (Roma's Matias Soule or Anis Hadj Moussa of Feyenoord), ideally Antonio Nusa from Leipzig to ship off Harvey Barnes, a right-back, a left-back and a goalkeeper. That's the bare minimum! We should also look at central defence and up front.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Newcastle have already bounced back once this summer.

After Liverpool signed Victor Munoz, Newcastle discreetly pivoted to winger Bazoumana Toure, who completed a £43m move from Hoffenheim.

They will have to bounce back again.

Newcastle had been a little cautious about Johan Manzambi, given the interest elsewhere, and it is understood the club moved on before Aston Villa's push to sign him became public.

There has certainly been a shift in approach in this window.

After qualifying for the Champions League and ending a seven-decade wait to win a major domestic trophy - the EFL Cup in 2025 - Newcastle went toe-to-toe with the league's highest-earning clubs for several star players last summer.

The competition has still been intense for targets this time around, but Newcastle are looking at a different profile.

Should that come as a huge surprise?

Only five Premier League clubs had an older average starting age than Newcastle during a bruising domestic campaign last season, when Eddie Howe's side finished 12th.

Young players need time to develop, but Newcastle have looked to target talents before they potentially become out of reach and cost more than £60m.

It is rather telling Newcastle's three signings of the summer transfer window – Toure, midfielder Sean Steur and goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen - were all aged 20 and under, hungry to develop and keen on making the move to St James' Park.

Toure had other offers, but it is understood the Ivory Coast international had wanted to move to Newcastle "for a long time".

Such a desire felt significant given head coach Howe has repeatedly made it clear he wants players who are "desperate" to play for the club.

It will also have struck a chord with Newcastle supporter Colin Mitchell after missing out on Munoz and co.

"With the events of last summer, and the couple of knockbacks we've had so far, it's hard to defend," Mitchell said.

"But deep down the club is still very attractive to the right players, and we only want players who want to play for Newcastle."

Read more from Ciaran

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So, another Newcastle transfer target has ended up elsewhere.

Aston Villa have signed Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi after hijacking his prospective move to St James' Park, which brings with it a painful sense of deja vu.

It was just a few weeks ago that the Magpies lost out on another top target, Victor Munoz, who opted to join Liverpool.

Newcastle have targeted Manzambi, Munoz, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford in the past 12 months - but all ended up elsewhere.

This summer, Sandro Tonali has already left for Tottenham and fellow central midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with Arsenal.

The big question is: can the Magpies pivot to another promising target, as they did with Bazoumana Toure after their Munoz interest fell through?

So, over to you. Who should Newcastle turn attention to now? What areas still need strengthening? And how worried are you by another transfer target ending up elsewhere?

Let us know here

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Even when Newcastle were in relegation trouble in 2022, the hierarchy at the time sold a dream to Bruno Guimaraes that they could be a "big power".

Now, though, the Newcastle captain has intimated he wishes to join Arsenal, who have yet to make contact with the club.

As adored as Guimaraes is on Tyneside, does the 28-year-old have the patience to help lead a new era at Newcastle as the captain of a young group who will take time to flourish?

Does Guimaraes feel this is potentially the last chance he would have to win a Premier League title or the Champions League if Arsenal come to the table?

In the past 12 months he has watched Alexander Isak move to Liverpool and Anthony Gordon join Barcelona.

Newcastle, fresh from a Uefa settlement, have also sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m which will enable them to significantly reinvest within the game's financial rules.

Tonali left Newcastle to link up with fellow Italian Roberto de Zerbi, but he will also command far bigger wages because of Spurs' higher revenues despite also missing out on Europe.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says there have been a variety of "pull factors" that Newcastle have had to contend with.

"The opportunity to play for clubs of the stature of Barcelona or to play in London is very attractive to players," he said.

"With Newcastle not competing in Europe this season, that could be a contributory factor. The Champions League is the biggest tournament in terms of club football for a player and that's an attraction.

"The other issue is wages. Guimaraes is handsomely paid at Newcastle, but they can't match Arsenal's wages.

"Arsenal can pay £300,000 a week, which will be close to twice what he is on at present. If you're 28 and looking at a four-year contract, you do the sums and that becomes very attractive."

The challenge for Newcastle is to prove that this can still be a "very attractive" project in its own right.

Not only to Guimaraes but future signings too.

Read more of Ciaran's article

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With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Phil: Nothing, unfortunately. The team has lost two big players already, with our biggest one also being touted with a move. Other players are being talked about as well. The team is being decimated. If there's one thing to look forward to, it is the end of the transfer window.

Norm: Goals!!! We missed them last year!

Paige: I can't wait to see if our transfer window will really have an impact on our performances. I do think last season could have been a one-off and next season could be different with the new signings.

Chris: As a Newcastle fan, I'm most looking forward to the opening of the Fantasy Premier League, where I'll actually be able to see some signings take place!

Mark: I already can't wait for the season to end. It's embarrassing how the club is being made a mockery of in the transfer market, especially with the owners that we have. Keeping Bruno Guimaraes, making three or four more signings and a new stadium announcement would be what is needed to make most of us excited.

Debbie: I'm looking forward to seeing if the confidence shown by Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga at the World Cup can be developed at Newcastle.

Newcastle are in talks with Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, 25, and with fellow Englishman James Trafford, Manchester City's 23-year-old goalkeeper. (Mail - requires subscription), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Newcastle's transfer business should not be held against Eddie Howe, says BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck.

The Magpies are coming to terms with the sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, 12 months on from a tricky transfer window before the 2025-26 campaign.

On BBC Radio Newcastle, one fan wrote in to state: "It's very difficult to sell the club if you're selling your best players. Gordon's gone, Tonali's gone, there's speculation around Bruno. They're your three best players. If you were selling them and you're trying to bring other players into the football club and they see that, they think hang on a minute what direction are you going in? You expect me to come?"

Raisbeck considered the fan's view and said: "I think they've got good money for Tonali and Gordon and those two leaving, certainly Gordon, was always factored in. It was always the expectation that would happen which gives them greater scope to reinvest the money and they have spent some so far and shown a willingness to spend more on Manzambi.

"It's not Eddie Howe's fault that players are not coming. He doesn't lead negotiations. Although he gets a lot of criticism, and I think he understands why, based on last season, he has a proven track record at Newcastle and Bournemouth and probably at Burnley as well, although he was only there for 18 months, of improving individual players.

"Look at the Newcastle players he inherited, some are still there, and some who have come in and moved on. He has made them better players. I think that's an attraction for young players because he has improved so many.

"When you look at a shift in recruitment, maybe he is the right sort of manager because he can get a lot out of players, he can make them better. Along with the coaching staff he's shown that."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

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Newcastle's Dan Burn says he is "very proud" of England's World Cup campaign, but Wednesday's semi-final exit to Argentina will "haunt me for a while".

Burn was brought on in the 82nd minute alongside fellow defender Nico O'Reilly with the Three Lions 1-0 up, but could not perform similar heroics to those seen in previous rounds as the World Champions scored two late goals.

"Gutted," Burn told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Very proud of what we've done, this World Cup. I think it's just small margins that will haunt us for a while. I think we were so close to doing it and we were probably too passive after we've scored which is frustrating.

"Normally we would have liked to have seen that out but they've got quality and they created chances and scored."

England manager Thomas Tuchel is coming under fire for his tactics. After his side took the lead they opted to sit back and defend, using defensive substitutes and switching to a back five, rather than chasing a second goal.

Asked what his instructions were when coming on, Burn added: "Much of the same as what I've done before to be honest.

"To be honest I feel like we played like we were a man down for some of it. I feel like we were too passive but we know that they've got quality. We're comfortable defending our box but players found too much space which hasn't happened in the previous games.

"Frustrated but very very proud of what we've done. But, I feel like we could have done it. The lads are gutted, it's not a nice place to be. It'll be a while before you can reflect and really see what we did in this tournament.

"I thought we had the quality to go all the way so that will haunt me for a while."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar is feeling "excited" and "ready to go" after recovering from an ankle injury and a subsequent foot infection which has kept him out of action since January.

The 34-year-old, who signed a one-year contract extension in June, is preparing for his ninth season at St James' Park and is looking to build on his 251 appearances for the Magpies.

"It is great to be back," Schar, who is the club's second-longest serving squad member, told club media, external. "The first days of pre-season are normally not the best because you have testing, but it is always nice to see everyone.

"After not being with the team for a long time, starting training again is a good feeling.

"I was very pleased to sign my contract extension. I don't have to say what the club means to me; it was always my first choice to stay here so I'm glad we found an agreement and we got it done early.

"It has been a difficult time with my injury and my foot so I was glad I could really focus on coming back, knowing what was going to happen this year and being ready for day one.

"There was unfinished business. I feel I am still able to add something to the team. I've worked really hard and I'm ready to go.

"Hopefully I can try to enjoy this season. I'm going to need some time to adapt after being out for such a long period of time, but I feel confident in my body and myself. I'm going to use this pre-season to come back as strong as possible."

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Lee: Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi would be a replacement for Sandro Tonali. Box-to-box, dynamic and young. Realistically, somewhere in the region of £50m could secure his services. Lewis Miley and him would be a good foundation to build on as they are both so young.

Phil: We need a new goalkeeper and, after the last couple of games, I would try to sign Norway's Orjan Nyland. We also need a new midfielder, but I couldn't say who to go for as we will be inevitably priced out of a move or another club will sign them at the last minute.

Andrew: Sign John Stones. He is at an age where he might agree to a minor salary cut and he would bring experience and talent, albeit for the last couple of years of his career. He would thrive under Eddie Howe, while being a free transfer.

Simon: Charles De Ketelaere of Belgium. He plays across the front line, as a right winger, number 10 or second striker. He has the physical power and aggressive pressing required for Newcastle's high-intensity system. His goals and assist against the USA prove he thrives under elite pressure. He would be available at a decent price too, compared to buying from the Premier League.

James: Gilberto Mora of Mexico. He is an incredible talent normally reserved for Real Madrid. He can be a useful weapon now and sold on for a fortune later. This is the exact profile of player we are looking for now.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and former Magpies defender John Anderson have been discussing the speculation around the future of Bruno Guimaraes after he told Newcastle United he wishes to explore a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.

"The truth is, I don't know what's going to happen and you're right to reiterate what we know about Newcastle's position, which is they are not inviting offers for their captain and most influential player. They want him to stay, they don't want to sell him," Raisbeck said.

"But as we learned last year, particularly with Alexander Isak, a player not being for sale doesn't mean they won't leave the club.

"If Arsenal want him, they will have to pay the money. And I think there will be a big difference between Newcastle's high, but quite rightly high, valuation of Bruno financially, and what Arsenal may or may not be prepared to pay.

"His influence on Newcastle is massive. Would he have the same level responsibility and same role at Arsenal? But then it's a move to a club that's just won the title that will probably nearly always be in the Champions League, will be competing for honours.

"He could get a big move financially, maybe in his 30's. What about Newcastle? Would this be an opportune time to sell him? Probably not for football reasons, but for the money maybe so.

"My view is that you lose far more than you gain if you let Bruno go, particularly after some of those big stars have already departed.

Anderson added: "People are talking about £100m, not a chance. I don't think there's any way in the world Arsenal are going to pay that.

"Do I think Arsenal will pay £80m? Probably not. So I think it's one of those situations. There's been loads of stuff written about 50m quid, he's most definitely worth more than that, but will you get £100m for a 29-year-old? Maybe £75m is the most realistic, possibly."

Listen below for the full discussion or on BBC Sounds here

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BBC Radio Newcastle's Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck sung the praises of Magpies defender Dan Burn, who has come on as a late substitute in England's past two matches at the World Cup against Mexico and Norway.

"You could see just before he came on he was ready to do what he did in Mexico and he did it brilliantly with that late header and he celebrates afterwards," Raisbeck said on Total Sport.

"He got up high again and clattered the player. It was a fantastic moment. He has produced two faultless substitute performances for England - it's been great to see.

"Newcastle started the summer with three players in the World Cup squad but Anthony Gordon was sold and Tino Livramento went back injured, so he has been the sole representative for England. He's the final North East player still involved."

England face Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup on Wednesday(20:00 BST) and you can watch live on the BBC.

Hit play below to hear the full clip or listen here on BBC Sounds

The World Cup is doing a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax, there is a Newcastle United fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch with your views here

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle's Newcastle United commentator

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It looks very much like Johan Manzambi is going to be an Aston Villa player and not a Newcastle United one.

It's a familiar feeling - Newcastle missing out on someone that they had worked hard to bring to St James' Park and appeared to be close to completing a deal for.

However, despite reaching an agreement with Manzambi's German club, Freiburg, nothing had been signed by the player.

He still had to decide where his future was going to be and Villa, who can offer Champions League football this season, stepped up their interest in the 20-year-old midfielder and he is on his way there instead.

Manzambi missed Switzerland's final two matches at the World Cup with a knee injury. We're not sure how serious it is.

But he had a great campaign for Freiburg, got the Europa League young player of the season award and played in the final against Villa, who won the trophy and therefore came across him in person just a couple of months ago.

Financially for Newcastle that deal wouldn't have been a problem, not least because of the money they have brought in already this summer - but when you miss out on another top target when it appeared to be close, it's frustrating and looks a bit embarrassing again, particularly as it has been played out in public.

It's another big disappointment in the transfer market.

They are identifying top players but, in some high-profile cases, they are just not able to get the deals done and other clubs are nipping in. It's a bad look and a bad feeling.

Listen to the full chat here and explore Newcastle content on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Aston Villa are working on a deal for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, as they attempt to hijack a move to Newcastle United.

Newcastle had appeared to be in pole position to sign Manzambi in a deal worth in the region of £50m, but BBC Sport previously reported the club had been a little cautious given the interest from elsewhere.

This is a painful case of deja vu.

It was just a few weeks ago that Newcastle lost out on another top target, Victor Munoz, who opted to join Liverpool.

Talent identification is clearly not the issue.

Newcastle have targeted Manzambi, Munoz, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford in the past 12 months.

But losing another top target to Villa would be another real setback in the transfer market.

If Newcastle miss out, the big question is: can the club discreetly pivot to another promising target, as they did with Bazoumana Toure after Munoz went elsewhere?

On one hand, there is plenty of time left in the transfer window to do just that and strengthen other areas of the side.

On the other hand, there is a lot of work to do and little margin for any further knockbacks.

The sight of those players not involved at the World Cup returning for pre-season training on Monday was a timely reminder of that.

Pre-season is just around the corner and the Premier League returns in less than 50 days.

Here is Newcastle's pre-season schedule - with kick-off times in BST.

• 18 July v Darlington (A- behind closed doors)

• 25 July v Gateshead (A) - 12:30

• 29 July v Bristol City (A) - 19:30

• 8 August v Valencia (A) - 20:00

• 12 August v Everton (Edinburgh) - 17:15

• 15 August v Bayer Leverkusen (H) - 15:00

• 16 August v Strasbourg (H) - 16:00

Bruno Guimaraes is viewed as not being for sale by Newcastle, despite Arsenal thinking they could sign the midfielder for £50m. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new Premier League season.

We're already working on some exciting new things for 2026-27.

As well as all the fallout and reaction to the tournament, we'll quickly shift back towards club football, with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.

BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover all 20 Premier League sides and we have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.

We'll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches, as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.

Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.

Our reporters, including senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, will be breaking the big transfer stories on our website and app.

We'll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.

For fans of World Cup Predictor, a new weekly game will be launching immediately after the tournament, with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of. You'll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.

Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.

Our new Shorts tab in the BBC Sport app will be the home of sport videos with content throughout the week from your club, including explainers, pundit analysis, interviews and behind-the-scenes content. We'll also be starting to include more reaction from fans so you can see the latest hot takes and debate the biggest talking points from your club.

Live pages are going to get bigger and better with more interactive elements, more conversation and improved functionality. They'll have BBC Radio 5 Live audio commentaries for the Premier League and Champions League, as well as live video for FA Cup.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Premier League team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications, which give you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Read more about what content you can expect here

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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In the midst of the World Cup and seeing Newcastle players celebrated there (flowers for Dan Burn), it is easy to forget there's also a transfer window open. Actually, as a Newcastle fan, it's preferable to forget.

We sold Anthony Gordon, which everyone suspected was coming, and then Sandro Tonali, which surprised some but not most, and now we are stuck in limbo with Bruno Guimaraes, who has, apparently, made it known he'd like to go to Arsenal.

Pair that with a few instances of being outbid for players we all but thought were done deals - Victor Munoz to Liverpool (an unpleasantly familiar feeling) and now (maybe) Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa.

It solidifies my feeling that I just cannot let myself get excited about rumours until I see a picture of them signing a blank piece of paper on the club's Instagram page.

If we also lose Bruno then we will have lost a significant amount of our senior talent, to say the least. What is it that these players have been promised that isn't coming to fruition? Is it simply about money? All the questions this window has raised are the same questions that were bubbling up toward the end of last season. What's the plan? What's the ambition?

Once, a relegation-threatened Newcastle United could still draw in players like Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman. What has changed? Why can't we attract or retain key talent any more?

Fans have been told to judge the summer in September, but it's very hard to when we're so desperate to see progress at our club and the narrative is that other clubs can swoop in and attract players we're supposedly after.

So far, it's just making me nervous about next season. Maybe it's a rebuild season and it will be OK, but fans are rightly frustrated by the window up to this point.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

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Newcastle United winger Antonio Cordero has rejoined Cadiz on loan for the 2026-27 season after successful six-month spell at the club.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Magpies on a free transfer from Malaga in July 2025, spent the second half of last season on loan at the Spanish second tier side, making 21 appearances and scoring three goals.

Cordero spent the first half of the 2025-26 campaign with Belgian Pro League side Westerlo, but he was recalled by Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson after making no starts.