Johan Manzambi Fee & Terms Agreed; Arrival Delayed By Exit

According to Keith Downie Newcastle have now agreed a transfer fee with Freiburg of £49M and the player has accepted the club's offer of personal terms.

However, Manzambi won't sign while Switzerland are still in the WC so many Toon fans will no doubt hope his national team is beaten by Argentina on Sunday so that we can hopefully get the deal done... before a 'Munoz Rug' is pulled out from under us,

If Switzerland win Manzambi, if fit, will be lining up against England if we get past Norway tomorrow.

Here is what Keith Downie has reported...

"Newcastle United have a verbal framework in place for the transfer of Johan Manzambi. They believe and hope they have got their man. The agreement is for £49m, despite previous reports (including mine!) The 20-year-old has also verbally agreed personal terms. Manzambi however will not sign a contract until after he's finished at The World Cup, so there is a degree of caution from Newcastle United given what happened with Victor Munoz. Other Premier League clubs hold an interest."

4 Signings, 78 years, c£135M spend

If Manzambi signs three things are clear...

One; the club can't be accused again of being slow in the market...

Two; the pre-window belief that the club would target young overseas talent has been rubber stamped with the signings and targets having a total age of just six years more than the 'owldy' writing this post.

Three; spending c£130M on three players aged 20 and one 18 would be somewhat of a gamble given that we have lost four highly experienced top performers in the last 12 months and that another, Bruno, could yet follow them.

If Bruno exits do we target experience?

With Steur just 18 and potential signing Manzambi 20 if Bruno were to exit that only leaves Jo and Ramsey as mature PL experienced midfield players.

Jo hasn't hit the heights of two seasons ago and Ramsey, although showing signs of promise, has yet to prove that his £40M fee was money well spent.

With Tonali gone, Bruno is now the one top drawer mid still at the club.

If Bruno stays Ross Wilson can turn his eye towards a right back and an experienced keeper if Pope moves on this window but, if Bruno tells Eddie he wants to go, Wilson might need to look at bringing in an experienced quality mid to replace him.

Bruno's fee should give Wilson the funds, but an alternative would be to take one of Arsenal's mids as part of a deal for Bruno.

Mikel Merino, Odegard, Viera or Zubimendi wouldn't go amiss but, yet again, wages would likely be the issue even if they and Arsenal were interested in a swap.

The best option still would be for Bruno, especially, and the club to confirm that he will be signing a new contract and staying at Newcastle United.

However...

The longer we go without hearing that news, the more likely it is IMO that Bruno will join Gordon and Tonali on the exit trail, and that will give Wilson and Eddie a decision to make.

Another young mid or a battle hard experienced campaigner?

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