Johan Manzambi: Newcastle set to lose Switzerland World Cup hero to Aston Villa

Newcastle believe they are set to miss out on the signing of Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa. <p>The Switzerland international's preference is understood to be Villa, who have offered to match the £49m deal Newcastle verbally agreed with Freiburg.</p><p>The offer of Champions League football is said to have been a key motivator behind Manzambi's decision to opt for Villa.</p><widget id="2"></widget><ul><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp" target="_blank"><strong>Transfer Centre LIVE!</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11678/13025496/newcastle-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-and-latest-on-deals-signings-loans-and-contracts" target="_blank"><strong>Newcastle news & transfers</strong></a><strong>⚫⚪</strong></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/newcastle-united-scores-fixtures" target="_blank"><strong>Newcastle's 2026/27 fixtures released</strong></a></li><li><strong>Not got Sky? <a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream with no contract on NOW</a></strong><strong>📺</strong></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12110/10952996/sky-sports-push-notifications-faq-how-to-receive-the-alerts-you-want" target="_blank"><strong>Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want!</strong></a> 🔔</li></ul><p>The 20-year-old had verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but was waiting until after Switzerland's World Cup was over before making a final call on his future.</p><p>Switzerland were knocked out by Argentina in a 3-1 quarter-final defeat after extra-time.</p><p>Newcastle had been cautious about rival interest in Manzambi after<a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/13555469/yan-diomande-transfer-news-liverpool-sign-victor-munoz-and-move-on-to-rb-leipzig-winger"> missing out on Victor Munoz earlier this summer.</a></p><p>They felt they had a deal in place with Osasuna and had got the wheels in motion for the winger to have a medical before Liverpool swooped in at the last minute.</p><p>It follows a similar trend to last summer, when Newcastle were beaten to the signings of Hugo Ekitike by Liverpool and Benjamin Sesko by Manchester United.</p><h3><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13562972/youri-tielemans-manchester-united-in-talks-to-sign-aston-villa-and-belgium-midfielder">Villa set to lose Tielemans to Man Utd in £36m deal </a></h3><p>Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £36m.</p><p><em>Sky Sports News</em> understands the midfielder has a release clause in his contract that is being triggered by United.</p><p>Discussions are advancing quickly after Belgium's exit from the World Cup.</p><p>Tielemans, 29, has been at Villa since 2023, when he joined on a free transfer from Leicester City, and has made 134 appearances for the club, scoring 10 times.</p><p>Aston Villa are losing another key midfielder in Tielemans shortly after <strong>Amadou Onana </strong>ruptured his ACL at the World Cup.</p><p>The 24-year-old, who was injured in Belgium's last-16 win over the USA, is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.</p><p>Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said: "Unfortunately, the medical examinations have confirmed that Amadou has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This is devastating news, both for him personally and for the team.</p><p>"We immediately consulted with Amadou and with Aston Villa to agree on the best approach to his recovery.</p><h3>Juventus make initial contact with Villa over Martinez</h3><p><strong>Juventus </strong>have made initial contact with <strong>Aston Villa </strong>to register their interest in signing <strong>Emiliano Martinez.</strong></p><p><em>Sky Sports News</em> understands Juve have not yet made an offer and Villa have not indicated a price for the goalkeeper.</p><p>A source close to the situation believes Juventus are currently undervaluing the player and their view of the price is more like that of a League One goalkeeper than a World Cup winner.</p><p>Aston Villa consider Martinez among the best goalkeepers in the world and of Champions League level.</p><p>Martinez, who still has a contract until 2029 at Villa, has the chance to lift the World Cup for a second successive time this summer, with a quarter-final against Switzerland coming in days.</p><ul></ul> <widget id="10"></widget><h2></h2> <widget id="11"></widget>