Aston Villa are closing in on a deal worth nearly 70 million euros ($49m) including bonuses to sign Swiss forward Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg, swooping past Newcastle United who had already agreed a 60 million euro fee with the German club.
Manzambi, 21, could not agree personal terms with Newcastle and opted to delay any formal commitment until Switzerland exited the World Cup following a defeat to Argentina on 12 July. He scored three goals in four matches before a knee issue curtailed his tournament. The move to Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, was influenced by their Europa League final victory over Freiburg in May.
The transfer would shatter Freiburg's previous record departure, Kevin Schade's 25 million euro move to Brentford in 2023. The deal also compounds a turbulent summer for Newcastle, who have already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham.