Newcastle have agreed the framework of a €60m (£51.7m) package, inclusive of add-ons, for Manzambi, who is currently representing Switzerland at the World Cup.
Freiburg are understood to have signed off on the deal, with the Newcastle hierarchy having received permission to speak Manzambi and his representatives.
While the 20-year-old has been wanting to focus on his World Cup duties with Switzerland, and is facing a race against time to try to recover from a minor knee injury in order to feature in Sunday morning’s quarter-final against Argentina, he has been willing to engage with Newcastle officials over a proposed move to Tyneside.
He has verbally agreed to move to St James’ Park, and while the finer details of his personal terms still have to be agreed, sources insist that Magpies officials are confident they should not present any problems to a deal being achieved.
Further talks will be needed to formally complete the transfer, however, with Manzambi also needing to undergo a medical. That could happen while the World Cup remains ongoing – Elliot Anderson completed his move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City while at the World Cup with England – although Manzambi has previously been keen not to disrupt his involvement with the Swiss national side.
Aston Villa have been linked with a move of their own, with Andre Onana’s knee-ligament injury sustained while on World Cup duty with Belgium having forced Unai Emery to rethink his own summer plans.
However, at this stage, Manzambi appears to have decided that his future lies at Newcastle. Manchester United, who were also touted as potential suitors, agreed a £50m deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos yesterday and remain keen on Atlanta’s Ederson despite reported issues over the Brazilian’s medical.
Geneva-born Manzambi started his career in the youth set-up at Swiss side Servette before joining Freiburg in 2023. He made his Bundesliga debut in August 2024 and has made a total of 58 senior appearances for Freiburg, scoring nine goals.
As well as holding talks over Manzambi, Newcastle officials have also spent the last few days tying up the £23m signing of Ajax’s Sean Steur. The 18-year-old spent the weekend on Tyneside, undergoing a medical and finalising the terms of his move, and his transfer should be formally confirmed in the next 24 hours.
Newcastle have already completed the signing of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims and winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim this summer.