'He is our secret weapon' - Why Aston Villa have completed Johan Manzambi hijack
Aston Villa have hijacked Newcastle United's deal for Johan Manzambi and the player is now expected to sign for them.
The Magpies had agreed a reported £51.5million deal with Freiburg to sign the 20-year-old, who has been among the World Cup's breakout stars.
Personal terms were yet to be agreed, however, with it now clear that the midfielder was biding his time.
Amadou Onana's ACL injury has seen Villa spring into action, with Manzambi now set to join Unai Emery's team.
It has been a summer of difficulty for Newcastle, who have lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon already, with Bruno Guimaraes potentially set to join them.
Newcastle have signed Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen, but deals for top targets Victor Munoz and now Manzambi have been hijacked at the last.
Why have Aston Villa signed Johan Manzambi?
Villa were given a look at Manzambi at the end of the season when they played Freiburg in the Europa League final.
The midfielder was unable to affect the score that day, but may have seen himself onto the radar.
With his performances at the World Cup, he has fired himself onto the target list of every major club in Europe.
Manzambi had not started either of Switzerland's opening two games, but came off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina to net a brace.
Naturally, Murat Yakin started him in the subsequent games and was rewarded with a goal and an assist against Canada and an assist against Algeria.
With that, the 20-year-old became the youngest player to register five goal involvements at the World Cup since records began in 1966.
Had Manzambi not been injured for Sunday's quarter-final against Argentina, Switzerland may well have made it through.
"He has an incredible hunger for goals, I've rarely seen that in a player," said Yakin. "He's so hungry to score. He's a real joy to watch.
"You can simply throw him in as a winger. He brings a carefree attitude that does us good. He is our secret weapon."
Could Manzambi be set to replace Morgan Rogers?
Arsenal have been heavily linked to Morgan Rogers this summer, but Villa have reportedly set a £130m price tag and are determined to keep him.
However, Manzambi's arrival may well indicate a change in that stance. Issues with the profit and sustainability rules are well known to have hamstrung the Villans this summer.
Suddenly shaking off those struggles to spend £50m would suggest that there is confidence of a sale.
Manzambi in the first instance is a replacement for Onana, but his ability to play as both a shadow striker and a winger do make him potential cover for the departure of Rogers.