Newcastle United have now agreed a transfer fee with Freiburg for Johan Manzambi and the player himself has accepted the club’s offer of personal terms.
Only one thing now needed.
Sky Sports reporting that Johan Manzambi won’t put pen to paper until Switzerland’s time at the World Cup finals is over.
The Swiss face Argentina at 2am Sunday morning (UK time) for a place in the semi-finals.
Keith Downie covers Newcastle United for Sky Sports and he reports: “Newcastle United have a verbal framework in place for the transfer of Johan Manzambi. They believe and hope they have got their man. The agreement is for £49m, despite previous reports (including mine!) The 20-year-old has also verbally agreed personal terms. Manzambi however will not sign a contract until after he’s finished at The World Cup, so there is a degree of caution from Newcastle United given what happened with Victor Munoz. Other Premier League clubs hold an interest.”
I understand Newcastle United fans getting nervous due to what happened with Victor Munoz when a transfer fee and personal terms were agreed, only for him to accept Liverpool’s offer instead.
However, I can well understand why Johan Manzambi wants to have only sole focus on this huge World Cup opportunity.
I am confident that the exciting 20-year-old midfielder will be playing for Newcastle United next season.
Also, whatever happens in the end, one thing that does appear clear based on all of the reporting from Sky Sports and others is that Ross Wilson and others at Newcastle United have done all they can to get this deal done. Agreement reached with both Johan Manzambi and Freiburg, so now just a case of having to wait. Which is always the worst thing of all. Well, that is, apart from a player having zero interest in joining your club!!!
Previous reporting had suggested a deal totalling around £51m, the man from Sky Sports saying the reality has proved a couple of million less now this verbal agreement reached with the Bundesliga club.
Johan Manzambi has been one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring three goals and getting two assists in four appearances for Switzerland, though he missed their last 16 victory over Colombia due to a knee injury picked up in training.
If the deal is completed, Johan Manzambi would be the fourth Newcastle United summer signing.
Ewen Jaouen was the opening NUFC buy of summer 2026 with a £24m deal done to bring the 20-year-old goalkeeper from Stade de Reims, then Hoffenheim agreeing a £43m move for 20-year-old winger Bazoumana Toure to come to Tyneside. On Thursday we saw a £23m deal for 18-year-old Ajax central midfielder Sean Steur completed.
Johan Manzambi started his career at Swiss club Servette before moving to Freiburg three years ago and has made 58 appearances for Freiburg, scoring nine times, since making his debut for the club in August 2024.
Hopefully it doesn’t prove the case but in reality Johan Manzambi’s World Cup participation could already be over.
After the three goals and two assists in the opening four games, the Switzerland star picked up a knee injury in training and missed the penalty shoot out victory against Colombia that took the Swiss through to the last eight.
Now his participation against Argentina is in doubt, with Switzerland boss Murat Yakin having now said this about Johan Manzambi: “The injury at the very last moment of training was a shock and I don’t think an injury like this can heal quickly. I don’t think there’s enough time [for Johan Manzambi to play against Argentina]. He doesn’t feel pain but right now I can’t say if playing is medically justified. Of course, we hope to see the player at his best on the pitch. But we will have to wait and see.”