Villa negocia contratação do suíço Manzambi

Aston Villa are working on a deal for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, attempting to hijack a move from Newcastle United. Newcastle had appeared in pole position to sign the 20-year-old Swiss international for around £50m, but the club was cautious given interest from elsewhere. Any deal could eclipse the record £50m Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana two years ago. Villa are poised to lose Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and already need midfield reinforcements, with Onana likely out until next year with an ACL injury. The chance to play Champions League football with Aston Villa is understood to be a huge attraction for Manzambi, who became one of the breakout stars of the World Cup as the youngest player to chalk up five goal involvements since 1966. Villa's finances are tight as they comply with UEFA regulations, but left-back Lucas Digne is close to rejoining Paris St-Germain and forward Lewis Dobbin is due to be sold to Southampton for about £9m. For Newcastle, losing out on another top target after Victor Munoz chose Liverpool represents a painful setback in the transfer market.