Aston Villa have completed the signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a club record fee of just over £50m, eclipsing the £50m paid for Amadou Onana two years ago. The 20-year-old Switzerland international was on the verge of joining Newcastle last week after the Magpies agreed a deal, but Villa moved quickly and was his preferred destination.
Manzambi scored three goals for Switzerland as they reached the World Cup quarter-finals before losing to Argentina. He played against Villa for Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May, where Unai Emery's side won 3-0 to end a 30-year trophy drought. Named Europa League Young Player of the Season, he scored seven goals in 47 appearances last term as Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga.
“Aston Villa sign Johan Manzambi for record £50m; Manchester United lose pre-season opener to Wrexham.”
Villa needed midfield reinforcements after selling Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35m, triggered by the Belgian's release clause, and losing Onana until next year to a serious knee injury sustained at the World Cup. The club's finances are tight as they comply with Uefa financial regulations, and left-back Lucas Digne is close to rejoining Paris St-Germain. Villa are also close to completing the £38m signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, who left the Championship club's training camp in Portugal on Thursday to undergo a medical.
Elsewhere, Manchester United began their pre-season with a defeat, beaten by Wrexham in Scandinavia. The Red Devils were second best as a summer signing made his debut. The result signals a lacklustre start for a side that will hope to build on their summer transfer business ahead of the new season.