Newcastle United are tracking Switzerland international Johan Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder who has scored three goals in three World Cup matches, helping his country top Group B. The Magpies have not yet made a formal approach, but the player's performances have drawn attention from recruitment teams.
Manzambi enjoyed a strong club season with Freiburg, scoring seven goals and registering nine assists in all competitions while guiding the German side to the Europa League final. Freiburg reportedly values him at around £42 million.
Kompany's Praise
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, whose team faced Manzambi twice last season, highlighted the midfielder's quality. "People always thought that England had snapped up a lot of quality from Germany," Kompany said via Goal in April. "But what's happening in Germany now? You've got players like Yuito Suzuki, Johan Manzambi, or Bilal El Khannouss on the pitch. There's a new generation of top talent emerging in Germany."
Freiburg Manager's View
Freiburg boss Julian Schuster praised Manzambi's work ethic and versatility. "You'd rather have someone like Johan on your team in training than on the opponent's team because he invests a lot and tries to improve week by week," Schuster said. "He's really good in challenges and can hold his own both offensively and defensively. It's a joy when we bring up lads from our own academy and they perform like this."
Switzerland Manager's Assessment
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin described Manzambi as a "secret weapon" and lauded his goal-scoring hunger. "He has an incredible hunger for goals, I've rarely seen that in a player," Yakin said. "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."
Manzambi's ability to play across the frontline and in midfield makes him an attractive prospect for Newcastle, who are considering whether to meet Freiburg's valuation.
