Aston Villa have secured Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a club-record £59.5 million deal, outbidding Newcastle United.
Newcastle had previously agreed terms worth £49 million for the Switzerland international, who emerged as a breakout star at the World Cup with three goals en route to the quarter‑finals.
Villa, however, launched a late bid for the 20‑year‑old to pip Eddie Howe’s side to the signature.
According to Sky in Germany, the total package — including add‑ons — amounts to nearly £59.5 million (€70 million).
The transaction sets a new club benchmark, eclipsing the £50 million Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana in summer 2024.
How Villa Beat Newcastle to the Manzambi Signing
Manzambi had verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but postponed his decision until after Switzerland’s World Cup campaign concluded.
The prospect of Champions League football at Villa is reported to have been a decisive factor in his choice.
Primarily a central midfielder, Manzambi enjoyed a breakthrough season with Freiburg, contributing seven goals and nine assists across 47 appearances in all competitions.
He was also honoured as the Europa League Young Player of the Season for his role in guiding Freiburg to the final, a match Villa won 3‑0 in Istanbul.
Johan Manzambi has become Aston Villa’s club-record signing
Why Manzambi Could Be a Revelation at Villa
In a World Cup dominated by household names, Johan Manzambi stood out as the exception. Scoring more goals than his starts for Switzerland, he became a breakout talent, earning his big move after a full season as a starter at Freiburg.
The 20‑year‑old turned down Newcastle’s offer to join Villa, the side that defeated Freiburg in the Europa League final last May. The £49 million fee reflects his rapid ascent, though his summer could have been even more impressive.
Following his man‑of‑the‑match performance against Bosnia‑Herzegovina — where he scored twice after entering in the 71st minute — he added a goal and an assist versus Canada. A minor injury ruled him out of the quarter‑final loss to Argentina, leaving fans speculating what might have been.
“We missed him massively,” Bruno Berner told Sky Sports. “He would have given us something different.”
Read Adam Bate’s full feature on Manzambi here.
