Villa smash club record to land Manzambi
Aston Villa have signed Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for just over £50m, a club record fee that eclipses the £50m paid to Everton for Amadou Onana two years ago.
The 20-year-old was on the verge of joining Newcastle last week after the Magpies agreed a deal with Freiburg, but Villa moved quickly and became his preferred destination. Manzambi scored three goals for Switzerland as they reached the World Cup quarter-finals before losing to Argentina.
Midfield rebuild at Villa Park
Villa needed midfield reinforcements after selling Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35m, with United triggering the Belgium international’s release clause. They are also without Onana until next year following a serious knee injury sustained at the World Cup with Belgium.
Villa are close to completing a separate £38m signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, who left the Championship club’s training camp in Portugal on Thursday to complete a medical. Left-back Lucas Digne is close to rejoining Paris St-Germain as the club manages tight finances under Uefa regulations.
Manzambi’s rise and record
Manzambi played against Villa for Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May, where Unai Emery’s side won 3-0 to end a 30-year trophy drought. He was named Europa League Young Player of the Season and scored seven goals in 47 appearances in all competitions last term, helping Freiburg finish seventh in the Bundesliga.