Villa Sign Newcastle Target Manzambi in Club Record Deal Aston Villa has signed 20 year old midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a club record fee of £59. 5m, beating out Newcastle United in the transfer market.
Manzambi's decision to choose Villa over Newcastle is not simply a case of a talented young player cashing in on his World Cup heroics.
Instead, it reflects the changing landscape of English football, where Champions League football has become a major draw for top players.