Newcastle United’s highly anticipated transfer bid for Fribourg’s star player Johan Manzambi has hit a snag. The Magpies were reportedly close to securing the deal, but it appears that another Premier League club is now in pole position.
Aston Villa, who have been chasing Manzambi for some time, are said to be leading the charge. The Villans are believed to have offered a significantly higher sum than Newcastle, with reports suggesting a total transfer fee of around £70 million, including bonuses.
This would make Manzambi one of the most expensive signings in Aston Villa’s history, surpassing previous deals for Kevin Schade and Merlin Röhl. The 20-year-old forward has been impressive for both club and country, scoring crucial goals in the World Cup and impressing onlookers with his pace and skill.
Manzambi was initially linked with a move to Newcastle, who were said to be willing to meet Fribourg’s valuation of £60 million. However, it seems that Aston Villa have now swooped in to steal him away from the North East club.