Newcastle United are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg for a reported fee of €60 million, according to multiple reports. The 20-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Magpies after the conclusion of the World Cup.
Manzambi has impressed observers with his performances at the tournament, scoring three goals and providing two assists in four appearances before a knee injury ruled him out of Switzerland’s round-of-16 victory against Colombia. His impact at the World Cup has further highlighted a breakout year for the player.
He joined Freiburg from Servette in January 2023 and quickly established himself as a key component of the Bundesliga side’s midfield. Florian Först, a scouting expert at Kickfieber.de, believes Manzambi’s progression was inevitable. “His early step up to senior football came as no surprise, nor did his Bundesliga debut at the age of 18,” Först told Bulinews.com. “Newcastle fans can look forward to a real gem of a midfielder.”
Först describes Manzambi as a “primarily a box-to-box player with a high work rate and strong physical presence,” noting his powerful runs and close ball control were frequently difficult for Bundesliga defenders to contain. Last season, Manzambi ranked highly for progressive runs, consistently driving his team forward. He also demonstrated attacking prowess, with intelligent passing and a strong finishing ability, showcased by his recent World Cup goals.
Defensively, Manzambi is also robust, winning over 290 duels last season and succeeding in the majority of his one-on-one battles. While Först acknowledges areas for improvement, such as progressive passing and consistent defensive positioning, he remains highly optimistic about Manzambi’s potential in the Premier League. “While his general passing is reliable and his progressive runs are excellent, there is definitely still work to be done on his progressive passing game.”
Despite these areas for development, Först believes Manzambi possesses all the attributes to become a world-class talent. “Newcastle fans can – and should – get ready for one of Europe’s most exciting players,” he stated. “If Manzambi stays injury-free and remains as grounded and eager to learn as he was in Freiburg, England is in for a real treat.” The addition of Manzambi would further strengthen Newcastle’s midfield options as they continue their push for European qualification.
Först recently also provided insight on Newcastle’s signing of Bazoumana Touré, further demonstrating his expertise on the club’s recent transfer activity.
