Newcastle United are facing a major rebuilding job in midfield after losing two of their most important players this summer.
Sandro Tonali has departed for Tottenham, but the bigger blow has undoubtedly been Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian was not only Newcastle’s captain and talisman, but also one of the driving forces behind their progress last season, producing nine goals and eight assists during a difficult period of transition.
Replacing a player of that influence will be no straightforward task, but the Magpies appear to already have a potential target in mind.
Newcastle Targeting Baleba
Newcastle United have Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba on their list of potential targets as they look for a replacement for Bruno Guimaraes, according to the Daily Mail.
The 22-year-old Cameroon international has emerged as a player of interest to Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle, who is understood to be an admirer of the midfielder’s qualities.
Baleba has previously been linked with Manchester United and is regarded as one of the more exciting young midfielders in the Premier League. Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has described him as “absolutely wonderful”, underlining the impression he has made since arriving in England.
There is no active deal at this stage, however, with Baleba currently sidelined through injury. Newcastle are simply keeping tabs on his situation as they assess their options following the departures of Guimaraes and Tonali.
Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and has steadily established himself as an important part of their midfield. His strength, ball-carrying ability and defensive work make him a particularly interesting option for Newcastle as they look to replace the Brazilian’s influence.
Whether Brighton would even consider allowing the 22-year-old to leave remains another question, but his name is now firmly on Newcastle’s radar.
With two major midfield departures to compensate for, the Magpies will need more than one signing to fill the void. Baleba, though, could offer the combination of youth, physicality and Premier League experience that Jaissle is looking for.
