Johan Manzambi: Newcastle set to lose Switzerland World Cup hero to Aston Villa – becoming 10th player to turn Magpies down in two years | Football News
Newcastle believe they are set to miss out on the signing of Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa.
The Switzerland international’s preference is understood to be Villa, who have offered to match the £49m deal Newcastle verbally agreed with Freiburg.
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Michael Bridge and Jay Bothroyd take a look at Newcastle’s latest situation with the club set to miss out yet another target with Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi preferring a move to another Premier League club.
The offer of Champions League football is said to have been a key motivator behind Manzambi’s decision to opt for Villa.
The 20-year-old had verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but was waiting until after Switzerland’s World Cup was over before making a final call on his future.
Switzerland were knocked out by Argentina in a 3-1 quarter-final defeat after extra-time.
Manzambi is set to become the 10th player that Newcastle have missed out on signing since the summer of 2024 – with nine of those players joining Premier League rivals.
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Take a look at five of Johan Manzambi’s best moments for Freiburg in the Bundesliga with the 20-year-old becoming the youngest player to reach five goal involvements at a World Cup since records began in 1966.
The nine other players Newcastle missed out on
Victor Munoz – summer 2026
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Victor Muñoz has developed into an international star during his time in LaLiga. The 22-year-old made two appearances for Real Madrid before impressing with Osasuna. He made his Spain debut in March and is in the World Cup squad.
Earlier this summer, Newcastle thought they had a deal for Spain’s international winger Victor Munoz – before a late Liverpool hijack.
Newcastle had a fee of £29m (+£4.3m) accepted by Osasuna and the player had agreed personal terms and told them he wanted to come. Agent fees were also agreed.
But they were instructed to wait over the last 24 hours by the player’s representatives.
Liverpool had always been at the table for Muñoz so they didn’t come in last minute, but Newcastle had been told the player wanted to sign for them.
Hugo Ekitike – summer 2025
Hugo Ekitike turned Newcastle down for Liverpool – and scored against them last season
Last summer, Eintracht Frankfurt turned down Newcastle’s club-record £70m offer for Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle held talks with Ekitike’s representatives in Austria, as they looked to sign the striker they had kept tabs on for a number of years.
Newcastle tried and failed to sign Ekitike in 2022 but he chose PSG instead. Frankfurt then paid PSG just £14m for the 23-year-old the previous summer.
Liverpool then agreed a deal for the 23-year-old with Eintracht Frankfurt worth £79m, made up of a £69m fixed fee plus £10m in add-ons. Ekitike’s preference was Liverpool.
Benjamin Sesko – summer 2025
Benjamin Sesko was another big miss for Newcastle
After Ekitike fell through, Newcastle then worked on a deal for Benjamin Sesko.
They made a second bid of £69.7m plus add-ons, after an initial offer of just under £70m (€80m) plus add-ons was turned down.
Manchester United then agreed a deal for Sesko. The deal broke down to an initial £66.3m (€76.5m) and £7.37m (€8.5m) in performance-related add-ons – which was actually lower than Newcastle’s second bid. Sesko preferred to move to Old Trafford.
Joao Pedro – summer 2025
Joao Pedro turned down Newcastle for Chelsea
Before they made a move for Sesko or Ekitike, Newcastle had a bid of around £50m for Joao Pedro rejected by Brighton.
The Magpies firmed up their long-standing interest in the player with an offer. But while talks between the clubs remained ongoing, Chelsea swooped in.
The Blues made Pedro their top transfer target and eventually signed him for £60m in early June – in time for the Club World Cup.
Bryan Mbeumo – summer 2025
Bryan Mbeumo ended up joining Manchester United over Newcastle
Newcastle also had an interest in then-Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo last summer.
The Magpies were one of a number of clubs interested in the forward including Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham – and all four clubs considered a move.
Mbeumo ended up joining Sesko at United for a £71m deal.
Dean Huijsen – summer 2025
Newcastle were among those keen on Spain defender Dean Huijsen, who had just had a breakout season at Bournemouth.
However, Real Madrid moved quickly to activate his £50m release clause.
Liam Delap – summer 2025
Newcastle were interested in signing Liam Delap from Ipswich last summer. Ipswich gave Delap permission to speak to other clubs after their Premier League relegation last year.
However, Chelsea paid Delap’s £30m release clause. Chelsea paid £20m up front, with the rest in instalments, while Ipswich also inserted a sell-on clause in the deal.
James Trafford – summer 2025
James Trafford chose Manchester City over Newcastle
Newcastle agreed a £31m fee with Burnley for goalkeeper James Trafford last year. However, Manchester City stepped in.
City had a matching clause inserted when they sold Trafford to Burnley in 2023 – and ended up activating it.
Trafford ended up turning down Newcastle for a move to Guardiola’s City. He started the season as No 1 but then lost his place to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Marc Guehi – summer 2024
Newcastle tried to sign Marc Guehi for several years
Newcastle made three bids for Marc Guehi during the summer of 2024. The bid was over £50m – but Palace valued him at £65m.
Newcastle retained an interest in Guehi the following summer, but Liverpool stepped in. With one year left on his contract, Guehi saw a £35m move to Liverpool break down on the final day of the 2025 transfer window.
Six months later, Guehi moved to Man City for an initial £20m – with six months left on his contract.
