Newcastle United have verbally agreed a deal for Johan Manzambi but are still erring on the side of caution.
The 20-year-old has also verbally agreed personal terms but the Magpies are still erring on the side of caution as no deal will be officially finalised until his involvement at the World Cup is over.
Manzambi has one of Switzerland’s star performers, scoring three goals - including a brace against Bosnia & Herzegovina - and registering two assists to help his country advance into the quarter-finals, where they face Argentina on Sunday (kick-off 2am BST).
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While Manzambi is a major doubt for the game due to a knee injury that also saw him miss the last 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia, he is staying around the camp to support his teammates.
Newcastle United agree Johan Manzambi deal - but it’s not done until it’s done
Manzambi had attracted interest from other Premier League and European clubs before the World Cup even started after enjoying an excellent campaign with Freiberg, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists to help the Bundesliga outfit finish seventh and reach the Europa League final.
Although Newcastle have a verbal agreement in place with both Freiberg and Manzambi, sources are keen to stress that it’s not done until it’s done, with the Victor Munoz saga clear evidence of that.
The Magpies agreed a deal with Osasuna for Munoz and were even told the Spanish winger wanted to join them ahead of Liverpool before a late change of heart saw the Reds hijack the deal.
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