Yohan Cabaye tells Newcastle to sign £60m winger and Man City playmaker

Yohan Cabaye, the former Newcastle United midfielder, has voiced his belief that the club must bolster its squad depth to truly compete on all fronts next season.

With ambitions of challenging for major honors and sustaining success in both the Premier League and Europe, Cabaye insists the club needs to make significant reinforcements while also retaining their most important assets.

His assessment comes as the Magpies look to build on the progress they’ve made in recent years, with the team now setting their sights higher than ever before.

Cabaye’s call for a deeper squad highlights a pressing issue Newcastle have faced in recent months. Injuries, inconsistent form, and a lack of depth have exposed weaknesses, particularly in the attacking department.

The recent sales of right wingers Yankuba Minteh and Miguel Almiron have only thinned the options further, leaving the squad short of proven alternatives on the flanks.

While Elliot Anderson’s departure hasn’t impacted the numbers in midfield too drastically—leaving six midfielders on paper—questions remain over the readiness and form of several of them.

Joe Willock has struggled to find consistency, Lewis Miley is still a teenager learning the demands of top-flight football, and Sean Longstaff’s future remains uncertain amid rumors of a potential exit.

In light of these issues, Cabaye has named two high-profile players he believes would be ideal additions for Newcastle this summer—Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin De Bruyne.

Both would be statement signings, though Cabaye emphasizes that these are not unrealistic aspirations. Brentford’s Mbeumo, a versatile attacker who can play on the wing or as a forward, has already been linked with a move to St. James’ Park.

His energy, creativity, and ability to fill multiple attacking roles could address Newcastle’s depth problem while offering genuine quality alongside the likes of Alexander Isak.

Then there’s De Bruyne. The Manchester City maestro recently confirmed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, with his contract set to expire.

While his wages would pose a challenge, Cabaye sees the Belgian as a transformative signing who could lift Newcastle’s midfield to a new level. Even at 33, De Bruyne remains one of the Premier League’s most influential figures, and Cabaye believes his class and experience would make him a major asset.

According to Cabaye, the former Chelsea man could provide both leadership and quality in crucial moments—elements Newcastle will need in abundance as they aim to reach the summit of English football.

However, bringing in big names isn’t the only priority. Equally vital, Cabaye stresses, is keeping hold of Newcastle’s core players—particularly those brought in during the transformative PIF-backed era.

He singles out Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali as the key trio the club must retain if they hope to build something lasting.

Isak has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most lethal finishers, while Bruno’s influence in the heart of midfield has been nothing short of immense. Tonali, despite some off-field distractions, remains a talent with the potential to dictate games at the highest level.

Cabaye’s message is clear: selling any of these players would be a step backward. The ambition of the club’s current project, supported by its ownership and management, is to cement Newcastle’s place among Europe’s elite.

Letting go of key figures now would not only undermine that progress but also send the wrong signal to prospective signings. If Newcastle are to convince players like De Bruyne or Mbeumo to join the project, they must demonstrate that the foundation is secure—and that means keeping their stars.

Cabaye also spoke highly of Eddie Howe, describing him as the right manager to take the club to the next level. He credited Howe’s leadership and tactical acumen as key reasons for the club’s upward trajectory, noting that the manager has already proven he can elevate the team.

Still, Cabaye warns that the Premier League remains unforgiving, and without a strong, deep squad, even the best managers can fall short. For Newcastle, the challenge lies in balancing ambition with stability—building wisely while holding firm to what has already been achieved.

As the summer transfer window approaches, Newcastle find themselves at a crossroads. The potential for greatness is real, but only if they move decisively.

Adding players like Mbeumo and De Bruyne could redefine their attacking and midfield capabilities, while ensuring the continued presence of Isak, Bruno, and Tonali would maintain the spine of a team built to compete at the highest level.

Cabaye’s insights echo the sentiments of many supporters who now believe it’s time for Newcastle to fully embrace their new status and build a squad capable of sustaining success—not just for a season, but for years to come.