Aston Villa has secured the signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a club-record £59.5m deal, outbidding Newcastle United. Newcastle had previously agreed to a £49m transfer for the Swiss international, who impressed at the World Cup with three goals. Villa's late bid, reportedly worth nearly €70m with add-ons, convinced the 20-year-old.

Manzambi had verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but was swayed by Aston Villa's offer of Champions League football. This move surpasses Villa's previous club record transfer of £50m for Amadou Onana.

Manzambi, a central midfielder, had a standout season for Freiburg, contributing seven goals and nine assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. He was also named Europa League Young Player of the Season. His performances at the World Cup, despite a minor injury in the quarter-finals, marked him as a breakout star, leading to significant interest from top clubs.