Aston Villa dealt major blow just hours after hijacking Newcastle United’s move for Johan Manzambi.
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The Magpies had a £49million agreement in place with Manzambi’s club Freiberg but were awaiting approval from the player’s side in order to finalise a transfer.
Manzambi has been away at the World Cup with Switzerland and it was hoped their exit from the tournament on Sunday would see the deal progress into the completion stage.
However, following an approach from Aston Villa over the weekend, the 20-year-old has opted to move there instead, leaving Newcastle to look at alternative midfield targets.
Aston Villa lose key midfielder after Johan Manzambi hijack
But as one midfielder arrives at Villa Park, another is set to depart following the bombshell news that Manchester United have triggered a £35million release clause Youri Tielemans’ contract.
The Belgian international joined Villa as a free agent following his release from Leicester City in the summer of 2023 and has established himself as a key player under Unai Emery.
Tielemans was an important part of the Villa side that qualified for the Champions League and won the Europa League last season, opening the scoring in the 3-0 win over Freiberg in the final.
Villa were keen to tie the 29-year-old down to a new contract, which expires in 2028, but the midfielder is now on the brink of moving to Old Trafford.
Manchester United were also one of the clubs interested in Manzambi but instead refreshed their midfield with Tielemans and the £50million signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
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