When news broke that Aston Villa were working on a deal for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, the word used by BBC Sport was clear: they were attempting to "hijack" a move from Newcastle United. In football, a transfer hijack is when a club swoops in at the last moment to sign a player who was widely expected to join another team. It is a high-stakes tactic that can reshape a club's season before it even begins.
Manzambi, a 20-year-old Switzerland international, became one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup. He scored three goals and registered two assists, becoming the youngest player to chalk up five goal involvements at a single World Cup since 1966. Newcastle appeared to be in pole position to sign him for around £50m, but Villa entered the race, hoping to exploit Newcastle's caution and lure Manzambi with the promise of Champions League football.
“An explainer on transfer hijacks in football, using Aston Villa's attempt to sign Johan Manzambi”
Why do clubs attempt to hijack deals? The answer often lies in timing and opportunity. A player's value can skyrocket during a major tournament, and clubs that move quickly can snatch a target from a rival. But it is not just about ambition; financial constraints play a huge role. Villa's finances are tight as they comply with Uefa financial regulations, and they are looking to sell players like Lucas Digne and Lewis Dobbin to balance the books. Any deal for Manzambi could eclipse the £50m Villa paid for Amadou Onana two years ago, so they are balancing their books carefully.
For UK readers, transfer hijacks are a regular feature of the summer window. They affect which stars play for which clubs, and can determine the success of a season. When a hijack succeeds, it is a coup for the buying club and a bitter blow for the club that lost out. Newcastle, for instance, had already lost another top target, Victor Munoz, to Liverpool earlier in the window. Missing out on Manzambi would be another setback, forcing them to pivot to other targets like Bazoumana Toure.
Q: What is a transfer hijack in football? A transfer hijack is when a club that was not the frontrunner for a player suddenly enters negotiations and signs the player, often by offering better terms or a more attractive project to the player or their club. It is a deliberate move to disrupt a rival's deal.
Q: Why do clubs hijack transfers? Clubs hijack transfers to strengthen their squad while weakening a rival, or to secure a player whose value may have increased during a tournament like the World Cup. It can also be a calculated risk: if a deal is stalling, a hijacker can step in with a quick offer.
Q: How do clubs afford big transfer fees when finances are tight? Clubs often sell players to generate funds. For example, Villa are close to selling Lucas Digne to Paris St-Germain and Lewis Dobbin to Southampton for £9m. They also need to comply with Uefa financial regulations, so every signing must be balanced by outgoing transfers or revenue.
What happens next? Villa and Newcastle are still competing for Manzambi, who has a knee injury that may affect his availability. Newcastle must decide whether to increase their offer or move on to other targets, while Villa will hope their Champions League pitch is enough to seal the deal. The transfer window remains open, and hijacks like this one will continue to shape the summer.
