Johan Manzambi’s transfer to the Premier League is close to being finalized. However, not to Newcastle United, but to Aston Villa. The Swiss international and World Cup breakout star prefers a move to the “Villans,” likely leaving Newcastle United empty-handed at the final hurdle.
The “Magpies” had already agreed earlier this week with SC Freiburg on a hefty transfer fee of €60 million, but at that point a full agreement with the player’s camp was still missing. Aston Villa took advantage of that hesitation: according to matching reports from ‘The Athletic’, ‘kicker’, and Sky, the Europa League winners and SC Freiburg have now agreed on an overall package worth just under €70 million, including the base fee and possible bonuses. The Bundesliga club left the final decision on his next destination to the player. Manzambi is said to have preferred Aston Villa.
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That apparently has mainly sporting reasons: under successful coach Unai Emery, the midfielder can continue to develop in Birmingham and play in the Champions League for the first time in his career. Newcastle, on the other hand, finished the recently concluded Premier League season in a disappointing 12th place and have recently had to cope with several high-profile departures.
The fact that last season’s fourth-placed Premier League side has stepped up its efforts for the Freiburg player so strongly in recent days is also born out of necessity: Villa must compensate for the loss of midfielder Amadou Onana, who suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury at the World Cup. Manzambi is now expected to sign a long-term contract in Birmingham. The mandatory medical is reportedly already planned for the near future.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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