Aston Villa have moved in on 20-year-old Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi after Newcastle United’s transfer plans stalled. Villa are finalising a deal with Freiburg for the versatile attacker, who starred against Villa in May’s Europa League final and impressed at the World Cup this summer.

What happened with Manzambi’s transfer?

Newcastle had a club-to-club agreement with Freiburg for Manzambi, but the player delayed his decision until Switzerland’s World Cup exit on Saturday. That window allowed Villa to step up their pursuit, especially after Amadou Onana’s knee ligament injury sidelined the Belgian midfielder. Villa have since intensified talks with Freiburg and the player, who now favours a move to Villa Park.

Manzambi came through Servette’s academy before joining Freiburg’s youth setup. He made 58 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists. Last season he played 47 games, netting seven times and setting up nine more as Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga. His Europa League run included a standout display against Villa in the final.

Why it matters for Aston Villa

Villa are set to return to the Champions League next season, and Manzambi’s arrival adds depth to a midfield that lost Onana for weeks. The Swiss international can play multiple positions, offering tactical flexibility as Unai Emery plots his squad for the new campaign. With the transfer window still open, Villa are seizing the moment after Newcastle’s hesitation cost them.

The Magpies had sent executives to Germany last week to close the deal, but their lack of Champions League football left them vulnerable. Newcastle’s caution followed past disappointments, including Liverpool gazumping them for Victor Munoz last month. Their alternative options are now in play as they regroup.

What comes next for Villa and Manzambi?

Villa are expected to wrap up the deal in the coming days, pending medicals and personal terms. Manzambi’s World Cup performances—two goals off the bench against Bosnia and Canada—have already turned heads, and his move to Villa Park would mark a bold statement ahead of their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

For Villa, the signing reinforces their ambition under Emery. With a 5-game winning run to end last season and a Champions League return secured, the club are building momentum. Their next fixture is against Real Sociedad at home on July 28, a warm-up before the European curtain rises.

Aston Villa currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 65 points from 38 games, 20 behind Arsenal. Their recent form reads WWWWW, and they’ve scored 56 goals while conceding 49 this season (+7 goal difference).