Aston Villa push to seal club-record deal for Johan Manzambi | OneFootball

Aston Villa are pushing to finalise a club-record move worth close to £60m for Johan Manzambi after hijacking the Freiburg midfielder’s proposed switch to Newcastle.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 20-year-old Switzerland international had looked set to join Newcastle after they agreed a £49m fee with Freiburg, but he had not given the green light. Villa intensified talks with the German club over the weekend and he is now on course to join them.

Unai Emery moved into the market after Amadou Onana suffered a serious World Cup injury. 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 increased the need for midfield reinforcements. If completed, the package with add-ons will top the £50m Villa paid Everton for Onana two years ago.

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

Source: ExpressAndStar.com