Aston Villa have signed Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for just over £50m, a club record fee, as Unai Emery strengthens his midfield after summer departures. The 20-year-old had been close to joining Newcastle after the Magpies agreed terms with Freiburg, but Villa moved quickly and secured his preferred choice, with the deal edging past the £50m paid for Amadou Onana in 2024.

Manzambi impressed at the World Cup, scoring three goals as Switzerland reached the quarter-finals before losing to Argentina, and was named Europa League Young Player of the Season after scoring seven goals in 47 appearances as Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga; he also faced Villa in May's Europa League final, which Emery's side won 3-0. Villa are additionally closing in on a £38m move for Wolves' Joao Gomes, with midfield reinforcements needed following Youri Tielemans' £35m sale to Manchester United and Onana's lengthy injury absence, while left-back Lucas Digne is close to rejoining Paris St-Germain amid tight finances under Uefa's financial rules.