Newcastle United have seen their move for Johan Manzambi hijacked by Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
Aston Villa have hijacked Newcastle United’s move for Freiberg and Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi.
Switzerland's midfielder #09 Johan Manzambi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group B football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Switzerland's midfielder #09 Johan Manzambi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group B football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle had a £49million agreement in place but suspected Manzambi was keeping his options open amid interest from other Premier League clubs.
The 20-year-old’s stock has risen in the past month after starring for Switzerland at the World Cup.
Manzambi scored three goals and registered two assists to help his country through to the last 16 before a knee injury ruled him out of the penalty shootout win over Colombia and the quarter-final defeat to Argentina on Sunday.
Aston Villa hijack Newcastle United’s Johan Manzambi deal
Following the end of his World Cup involvement, Newcastle hoped to finalise a deal this week but Manzambi has decided to move to Villa instead.
Unai Emery’s side have recently accelerated a move for Manzambi, with Amadou Onana set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he picked up a serious knee injury at the World Cup with Belgium.
It is the second major signing Eddie Howe’s side have missed out on this summer after Spanish winger Victor Munoz joined Liverpool. The Magpies were left stunned by Munoz’s move to Anfield, but the Manzambi news has an air of inevitability about it.
Indeed, Newcastle chiefs suspected that Manzambi wasn’t totally sold on a switch to St James’ Park with other interest in the background.
United have swiftly turned their attention to alternative targets as they look to bolster their engine room following the £100million sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur.
Sean Steur arrived from Ajax last week for £23million but Newcastle are eyeing another midfield addition with the futures of Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock currently uncertain.
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