Manzambi is set to join Aston Villa, leaving Newcastle licking their transfer wounds
Emi Martinez and Johan Manzambi's chat in front of the cameras appeared to confirm his move to Villa
Emi Martinez and Johan Manzambi's chat in front of the cameras appeared to confirm his move to Villa(Image: ITV Sport)
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Newcastle United were dealt another major blow in the transfer market on Sunday evening when it was confirmed Aston Villa hijacked their move for Switzerland international midfielder Johan Manzambi.
The Magpies had agreed a transfer fee with Freiburg and personal terms with the player but were remaining cautious as the 20-year-old wanted to wait until the end of the World Cup before deciding on his future.
And that caution was well placed after Manzambi chose to join Villa instead, with Unai Emery's side now putting the finishing touches to his transfer.
It is believed Villa outbid Newcastle on both the transfer fee and their salary offer and that coupled with the lure of Champions League football was enough to tip the scales in their direction.
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It was the second time this summer a Newcastle move has been hijacked at the eleventh hour after they agreed a fee and personal terms to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna before Liverpool stepped in and secured his transfer.
But if footage from Sunday's World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland is anything to go by, it should not have come as a surprise to anybody.
Argentina needed extra time to beat Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas City to set up a semi-final clash against England in Atlanta on Wednesday evening but an exchange between La Albiceleste goalkeeper Emi Martinez and Manzambi at full-time all but confirmed his move to Villa Park in plain sight and nobody noticed.
The Villa goalkeeper shook Manzambi's hand and asked him: "[Are] You going to Villa?" Manzambi appears to nod and say yes and Martinez then turns towards Lionel Messi looking ecstatic.
Less than 24 hours later and news of his move to Birmingham was confirmed and it has left Newcastle now actively looking for Manzambi alternatives in the market.
The club have been working in the background on other targets in case of this eventuality and are now working towards a Plan B in their pursuit of the 20-year-old.
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