Aston Villa have completed the club-record signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a deal worth just over £50 million.
The fee surpasses the £50m Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana in 2024 and represents another significant statement of intent from Unai Emery’s side ahead of the new campaign.
Villa are also closing in on the signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes for £38m after the Brazilian left his club’s training camp in Portugal on Thursday to undergo a medical.
Manzambi had appeared destined for Newcastle after the Magpies agreed a fee with Freiburg last week, but Villa moved swiftly to hijack the deal and were ultimately the player’s preferred destination.
The 20-year-old arrives at Villa Park following a breakthrough campaign in Germany and an impressive summer on the international stage with Switzerland.
Manzambi scored three goals during Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals before their campaign ended with defeat to Argentina.
He also featured against Villa in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May as Emery’s side secured a 3-0 victory to end the club’s 30-year wait for major silverware.
The midfielder’s performances for Freiburg saw him named Europa League Young Player of the Season after registering seven goals in 47 appearances across all competitions as the Bundesliga side finished seventh.
Villa’s move comes amid significant changes in midfield.
Youri Tielemans departed earlier this summer after Manchester United activated the £35m release clause in the Belgium international’s contract, while Onana is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during Belgium’s World Cup campaign.
Further departures could follow in the coming weeks as Villa continue to balance their squad in line with UEFA financial regulations.
Left-back Lucas Digne is understood to be closing in on a return to Paris Saint-Germain as the club look to create further room in the budget for new arrivals.
