Aston Villa are set to snatch a World Cup rising star as well as a transfer target from their Premier League rivals.
Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on their first signing. One of the World Cup’s rising stars, Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, has been making headlines lately due to being linked with several Premier League clubs. Villa are one of them, with Newcastle United their main rivals.
According to a report from TeamTalk, Unai Emery’s side are ready to take advantage in the race against the Magpies.
“The Magpies had concerns that negotiations with the player’s representatives were not progressing at the same pace as discussions with the Bundesliga club. Those concerns have now proved well founded. Aston Villa have seized the opportunity, moving quickly to strike an agreement not only with Freiburg but, crucially, with Manzambi’s camp.”
Villa and the Magpies have been interested in Manzambi for a while, even before the World Cup. The 20-year-old versatile midfielder has been tipped as one of the most exciting talents in Europe.
However, last week, Newcastle seemed to be ahead of the Lions as they had reportedly reached an agreement with Manzambi’s club, Freiburg, over a transfer fee of £51.1 million. They then began holding talks with the player’s camp.
Interestingly, the player’s representatives have yet to make significant progress in their negotiations with Newcastle. The talks have not stalled but have not moved forward as expected to seal the deal. Manzambi himself was still at the World Cup.
Villa have taken the chance to make an approach. They definitely have something the Toon Army do not have: continental competition. The Clarets and Blue will be competing in the Champions League during the 2026/27 campaign.
Manzambi is a product of the Freiburg academy, having left Servette’s academy in 2023. He was promoted to the first team in 2024. Since then, the versatile midfielder has played 58 games, registering nine goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
He played a crucial role in Freiburg’s Europa League campaign last season. The Bundesliga outfit reached their first-ever major continental final before losing to Aston Villa. The midfielder, who has Angolan and DR Congo descent, also made his mark at the World Cup. He contributed three goals and two assists in just four games before suffering a knee injury.
Based on data from FotMob, the player, who can operate as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, winger, and even occasionally as a frontman, was highly rated last season. In the Bundesliga, his xG and xA were outstanding, reaching 3.85 and 5.13 respectively. His successful pass rate was 84.5%, while his accurate long-ball rate reached 51.6%. Meanwhile, his successful dribble rate reached 52.4%, and his winning duel rate was 58.9%.
Manzambi also made a significant contribution defensively. He recorded 35 tackles, 28 clearances, and 27 interceptions last season, not to mention two blocked shots.
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