Aston Villa have completed the club-record signing of Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a deal worth up to £59.5m.
The Switzerland international becomes the most expensive arrival in Villa’s history. The package surpasses the £50m paid to Everton for Amadou Onana in 2024.
Sky Sports reports that the total fee is worth almost €70m with add-ons included. Newcastle had agreed a £49m deal with Freiburg, but Manzambi preferred a move to Villa Park.
The transfer was completed after the 20-year-old underwent his medical on Thursday. Read Aston Villa reported that Manzambi had arrived for the final checks after Villa moved ahead of Newcastle.
Manzambi strengthens Emery’s midfield
Manzambi arrives after an impressive season for Freiburg and a breakthrough World Cup with Switzerland. He scored three times as his country reached the quarter-finals before losing to Argentina.
The midfielder also faced Villa in May’s Europa League final in Istanbul. Unai Emery’s side won 3-0 to secure the club’s first major trophy for 30 years.
Manzambi featured in all 15 of Freiburg’s Europa League matches, scoring twice and providing two assists. UEFA later named him the competition’s Revelation of the Season.
His arrival provides an important midfield addition following Youri Tielemans’ £35m move to Manchester United. Villa are also without Onana after the Belgium international suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup.
Villa are now working to complete the signing of João Gomes from Wolves. The proposed deal could be worth up to £38m, with the Brazilian leaving Wolves’ training camp in Portugal to undergo a medical.
Manzambi gives Emery a young, athletic and technically gifted option as Villa prepare to return to the Champions League. His signing also underlines the club’s ambition despite the financial restrictions influencing their summer business.
