Newcastle appeared to hold the advantage at club level after reaching terms with Freiburg, but the player’s position became the decisive factor. According to the report, Villa acted quickly when talks between Newcastle and Manzambi’s camp failed to progress.
The 20-year-old Switzerland international is now reportedly convinced that his future should be at Villa Park. No official announcement has been made, and the final structure of any agreement has not been disclosed.
The report describes Manzambi as a versatile midfielder with physical strength and technical quality. His performances for Freiburg, including in European competition, reportedly attracted Unai Emery’s attention before the current negotiations accelerated.
For Villa, the move would support Emery’s continued reshaping of the midfield. The club’s reported interest appears to be based on Manzambi’s individual profile rather than being directly linked to any potential departure involving Morgan Rogers.
That distinction matters because Villa would be adding a player identified through scouting and technical evaluation, rather than simply reacting to another transfer. Emery has previously favoured assessing targets closely before approving major recruitment decisions, and Manzambi reportedly fits the club’s preferred balance of mobility, strength and ball quality.
For Newcastle, losing a player after reportedly agreeing terms with Freiburg would underline the importance of securing personal terms early. The club is already understood to be considering alternatives in midfield as Eddie Howe’s squad continues to evolve.
The next key steps are official confirmation, completion of the remaining formalities and clarity over the fee. Until those details are announced, Villa’s reported agreement with Manzambi and Freiburg should be treated cautiously.
Newcastle are reportedly preparing other midfield options, while Villa appear to have taken control of a deal that initially favoured their Premier League rival.