Aston Villa has finalized the signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a club record fee exceeding £50m. This transfer surpasses the £50m previously paid for Amadou Onana.

Villa is also nearing the £38m acquisition of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. Manzambi, who was reportedly close to joining Newcastle, expressed a preference for Villa. The 20-year-old Swiss international featured in the World Cup and was named Europa League Young Player of the Season for his contributions to Freiburg's seventh-place Bundesliga finish.

The signing addresses Villa's midfield needs following the £35m sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and Amadou Onana's long-term knee injury. The club is also managing financial regulations, with Lucas Digne nearing a return to Paris St-Germain.