Villa sign Newcastle target Manzambi in club-record deal

Aston Villa have beaten Newcastle to the signing of Johan Manzambi after completing a club-record £59.5m deal for the midfielder from Freiburg.

Newcastle had agreed a deal worth £49m for the Switzerland international, who was a breakout star at the World Cup as he scored three goals in their run to the quarter-finals.

However, Villa made a late bid for the 20-year-old to beat Eddie Howe's side to the signing.

According to Sky in Germany, the total package for Manzambi is worth almost £59.5m (€70m) with add-ons included.

This is a club-record transfer, surpassing the £50m Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana in the summer of 2024.