Aston Villa pursue club-record deal for World Cup midfielder Johan Manzambi | OneFootball

Aston Villa are pushing to seal a club-record deal worth nearly £60 million for Johan Manzambi after hijacking Newcastle’s move for the Freiburg midfielder, according to ExpressAndStar.com.

The 20-year-old Switzerland international had looked set to join Newcastle after they agreed a £49 million fee with Freiburg. He had not given the green light and is now on course to join Villa after talks intensified over the weekend.

Unai Emery has moved into the market following Amadou Onana’s serious World Cup injury. The 24-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss most of the season.

Manzambi had long been on Villa’s radar and Onana’s setback has sharpened the need for midfield reinforcements. If completed, the package with add-ons would surpass the £50 million paid to Everton for Onana two years ago.

Manzambi faced Villa for Freiburg in May’s Europa League final, rounding off a season of seven goals in 47 appearances. He also impressed for Switzerland at the World Cup before missing their last two matches with a minor knee injury.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com