Most people don’t like summer because of the wasps and sunburns that come with it. Newcastle United, however, are beginning to despise him due to their failure to find goals from the line-up.
Over the past 12 months, the Magpies have gone from top spot to DNF in several transfer races. They missed Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Benjamin Sesko and now it looks like they will miss Johan Manzambi, who chose Aston Villa.
It forced them to go back to the drawing board again, where they identified Mandela Keita for Parma.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
With Sandro Tonali gone and Bruno Guimaraes set for the exit door himself, Newcastle are in a tough position for Keita to get them out. The Parma midfielder will come cheaper than Manzambi and there is still an inquiry from St James’ Park. |
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Finance |
Parma are reportedly valuing their midfielder for €25m (£21m) this summer. Although money will burn, that’s good news for Newcastle and their budget. Whether that price will continue amid the growing interest in the Premier League remains to be seen, however. |
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Understanding |
The 24-year-old is a formidable midfielder and was more successful off the ball last season, with only 11 midfielders making more recoveries than his 153 last season. |
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Impact |
Leeds United and Everton have also been tipped to be interested in Keita and that could be a problem for Newcastle too. Alas, their desperation can reach the point where they go all out on their next target like they did on Nick Woltemade late last summer. |
Keita appears to be the next name on Newcastle’s shortlist, as they battle to find a replacement for Tonali.
Newcastle are in talks to sign Mandela Keita
According to Parma Today, as reported by Sports Witness, Newcastle are in talks to sign Keita from Parma this summer. The Magpies have made inquiries about signing the midfielder.
The 24-year-old costs just €25m (£21m) in Italy and that is affordable at St James’ Park following the £100m sale of Tonali and the £69m sale of Anthony Gordon.
Competition from Everton and Leeds could still make things difficult and leave Newcastle clinging to Groundhog Day rejection, but they must go all out quickly to finally land a midfield star.
Newcastle must not miss out on another midfielder
At the moment, Newcastle are just completing the evaluation process for other clubs to move in. It’s been a disastrous 12 months and something has to change – starting with Keita.
After watching Manzambi move from Tyneside to Aston Villa over St James’ Park, Keita should be the front-runner to sign in the middle of the park.
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25/26 |
Keita |
Manzambi |
|---|---|---|
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Minutes |
2,991 |
2,094 |
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Fighting |
74 |
35 |
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Recovery |
154 |
110 |
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Opportunities are created |
11 |
20 |
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Duel success |
62.4% |
58.9% |
Called “brilliant” by scout Antonio Mango, Keita is a more secure option off the ball than Manzambi, who likes to attack. After losing Tonali, it is the first that Newcastle need more for next season.
