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Newcastle believe they will miss out on signing Aston Villa for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi.
The Switzerland international is understood to prefer Villa, who have offered to match the £49m deal Newcastle have verbally agreed with Freiburg.
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Michael Bridges and Jay Bothroyd look at Newcastle’s latest situation with the club missing out on another goal with Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi opting to move to another Premier League club.
The offer of Champions League football is said to have been a key motivation behind Manzambi’s decision to choose Villa.
The 20-year-old has verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but is waiting until after the World Cup in Switzerland before making a final call on his future.
Switzerland were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing 3-1 to Argentina after extra time.
Manzambi is set to become the 10th player Newcastle have missed out on signing from the summer of 2024 – with nine of those players joining Premier League rivals.
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Take a look at Johan Manzambi’s five best moments for Freiburg in the Bundesliga and the 20-year-old became the youngest player to score five goals at the World Cup since the record began in 1966.
Nine other Newcastle players were left out
Victor Munoz – Summer 2026
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Victor Munoz has become an international star during his time in La Liga. 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 completed a deal for Spain international winger Victor Munoz – before the Liverpool hijack.
Newcastle had a fee of £29m (+£4.3m) accepted by Osasuna and the player agreed personal terms and told them he wanted to come. Agent fees were also agreed upon.
But the players were instructed by the representatives to wait for their last 24 hours.
Liverpool were always on the table for Munoz so they didn’t come in at the last minute, but Newcastle were told the player wanted to sign for them.
Hugo Ekitike – Summer 2025
Hugo Ekitike turns Newcastle back for Liverpool – and scored against them last season
Last summer, Eintracht Frankfurt rejected Newcastle’s club-record £70m bid for Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle have held talks with Ektik’s representatives in Austria, as they look to sign the striker they have been keeping tabs on for several years.
Newcastle tried unsuccessfully to sign Ekti in 2022 but he opted for PSG instead. The 23-year-old paid just £14million to Frankfurt PSG the previous summer.
Liverpool then agreed a £79m deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for the 23-year-old, made up of a £69m fixed fee and £10m add-ons. Ekiti’s choice was Liverpool.
Benjamin Sesco – Summer 2025
Benjamin Cesko was another big miss for Newcastle
After the fall of Ektik, Newcastle then worked on a deal for Benjamin Cesko.
they are Made a second bid of £69.7m plus add-onsAfter rejecting an initial offer of just £70m (€80m) plus add-ons.
Manchester United then agreed a deal for Cesco. The deal broke down to an initial £66.3m (€76.5m) and £7.37m (€8.5m) in performance-related add-ons – which was actually less than Newcastle’s second bid. Cescow prefers to move to Old Trafford.
Joao Pedro – Summer 2025
Joao Pedro returns to Newcastle for Chelsea
Before they moved for Sesko or Ekitike, Newcastle had a bid of around £50m for Joao Pedro rejected by Brighton.
The Magpies have cemented their long-standing interest in the player with an offer. But while talks between the clubs were ongoing, Chelsea swooped in.
The Blues made Pedro their top transfer target and eventually signed him for £60m in early June ahead of the Club World Cup.
Brian Mbeumo – Summer 2025
Brian Mbeumo joins Manchester United from Newcastle
Newcastle were also interested in then Brentford forward Brian Mbeumo last summer.
The Magpies were among a number of clubs interested in the forward, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham – and all four clubs considered a move.
Mbeumo eventually joined United’s Cesco in a £71m deal.
Dean Huisen – Summer 2025
Newcastle were among those interested in Spain defender Dean Huizen, who had just enjoyed 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 allowed Delap to talk to other clubs after their Premier League relegation last year.
However, Chelsea have paid Delap’s £30m release clause. Chelsea paid £20m upfront, the rest in instalments, while Ipswich also inserted a sell-on clause into the deal.
James Trafford – Summer 2025
James Trafford has chosen Manchester City over Newcastle
Newcastle agreed a £31m fee with Burnley for goalkeeper James Trafford last year. But Manchester City stepped up.
A matching clause was inserted when City sold Trafford to Burnley in 2023 – and activated it.
Guardiola turned down Newcastle at Trafford for a move to City. He started the season as number 1 but then lost his place to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Mark Guihy – Summer 2024
Newcastle have been trying to sign Mark Guihy for a number of years
Newcastle made three bids for Mark Guehy in the summer of 2024 The bid was in excess of £50m – but Palace valued him at £65m
Newcastle maintained an interest in Guihy the following summer, but Liverpool stepped in. With a year remaining on his contract, Guihy sees a £35m move to Liverpool on the final day of the 2025 transfer window.
Six months later, Guihy moved to Man City for £20m – with six months remaining on his contract.
