Aston Villa have completed the club-record signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a deal worth just over �50 million. The fee surpasses the �50m Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana in 2024 and represents another significant statement of intent from Unai Emerys side ahead of the new campaign.Villa are also closing in on the signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes for �38m after the Brazilian left his clubs training camp in Portugal on Thursday to undergo a medical.Manzambi had appeared destined for Newcastle after the Magpies agreed a fee with Freiburg last week, but Villa moved swiftly to hijack the deal and were ultimately the players preferred destination.The 20-year-old arrives at Villa Park following a breakthrough campaign in Germany and an impressive summer on the international stage with Switzerland.Manzambi scored three goals during Switzerlands run to the World Cup quarter-finals before their campaign ended with defeat to Argentina.He also featured against Villa in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May as Emerys side secured a 3-0 victory to end the clubs 30-year wait for major silverware.The midfielders performances for Freiburg saw him named Europa League Young Player of the Season after registering seven goals in 47 appearances across all competitions as the Bundesliga side finished seventh.Villas move comes amid significant changes in midfield.Youri Tielemans departed earlier this summer after Manchester United activated the �35m release clause in the Belgium internationals contract, while Onana is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during Belgiums World Cup campaign.Further departures could follow in the coming weeks as Villa continue to balance their squad in line with UEFA financial regulations.Left-back Lucas Digne is understood to be closing in on a return to Paris Saint-Germain as the club look to create further room in the budget for new arrivals. Topics Aston Villa F.C. Johan Manzambi Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Arsenal prepare bid for England defender Konsa report Jon Fisher 17th July, 2026 Manchester United complete signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa Mitch Fretton 14th July, 2026 BREAKING: Manchester United in talks to sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa Mitch Fretton 13th July, 2026 TV Premier League fixtures: Full list of schedule changes in August and September 2026 including channels, live online streams, confirmed kick off times Ben Miller 10th July, 2026 Tielemans pledges to support Belgium and Aston Villa team-mate Onana after ACL injury Jon Fisher 7th July, 2026 BREAKING: Omar Artan to referee UEFA Super Cup after being denied a place at the World Cup Jon Fisher 11th June, 2026
