Aston Villa push for club-record Manzambi deal after Newcastle move stalls | OneFootball

Aston Villa are pressing to finalise a club-record transfer, close to £60 million, for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi after moving to hijack his proposed switch to Newcastle.

ExpressAndStar.com reports that the 20-year-old Switzerland international had been expected to join the Magpies after a £49 million agreement between the clubs, but he had not approved the move and is now on course for Villa following intensified weekend talks.

Unai Emery has ordered a move into the market following the serious injury sustained by Amadou Onana at the World Cup. The 24-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss most of the season.

Manzambi has long been on Villa’s radar and Onana’s setback has sharpened their need for midfield reinforcements.

If completed, the package with add-ons would surpass the £50 million Villa paid Everton to sign Onana two years ago.

Manzambi faced Villa in May’s Europa League final, rounding off a campaign in which he scored seven goals in 47 appearances for Freiburg.

He also impressed for Switzerland at the World Cup before missing their final two matches of the tournament with a minor knee injury.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com