'£42m can get it done' - Keith Wyness shares what he's 'heard' about Johan Manzambi joining Newcastle
Johan Manzambi would provide a "great" addition to Newcastle United's squad this summer.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who expects the Magpies to get their pursuit of the Freiburg midfielder over the line in the coming weeks.
This comes amid the news that the North East outfit have already made contact with the Bundesliga side and have held initial talks over a move for the 20-year-old.
Wyness has backed the Switzerland international to fit in well with Eddie Howe's management style, and has also heard that he is a "decent character."
The powerful starlet is set to be available for £42million this summer, after a season that saw him notch seven goals and six assists for Freiburg.
Manzambi has also excelled at the World Cup so far, and has managed three goals and two assists to help his nation into the last 16.
Keith Wyness: Newcastle getting 'good price' for Johan Manzambi
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Newcastle can strike a deal for Manzambi for a "good price" at £42m.
The former boardroom man emphasised that most top European clubs would expect to pay in excess of the £50m mark for a young player of his talent.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that there is a strong chance that the Tynesiders get a deal over the line.
"Yeah, think there might be actually (a strong chance). I think anything under £50m for him is going to end up being a good price," he said.
"He has had a good World Cup, and I think there is a bit of competition from clubs around Europe for him.
"£42m, can get it done. To me, anything under £50m, he's the right age, the right experience, he looks the right sort of athletic capability, and I've heard that he's also a decent character.
"I think that would be a great move for Newcastle. I think this is what they need in terms of age restructuring within the squad, and he's one that Eddie Howe would work well with. So I'd hope that one can get done."
UEFA to warn Newcastle over financial breaches
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider earlier this week that Newcastle are on their final warning from UEFA after another pair of financial breaches.
They have been fined a total of £5.2m for their latest misdemeanours, the first being a three-month overspend, and the second an SCR-related issue back in 2025.
Borson suggested that while UEFA have been "lenient" with the Magpies so far, one more overspend could see them come down hard on the ambitious outfit.
There is even a possibility that Howe's side could be banned from European competitions if they overstep the line again in future.