Newcastle United is reportedly closing in on a deal for SC Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi, the 20-year-old Swiss midfielder whose stock has risen sharply across both the traditional transfer market and the blockchain-based collectibles space. Negotiations between the two clubs are described as being at an advanced stage, with the Magpies increasingly confident they can get a deal over the line.
Manzambi’s price tag sits at approximately £42M, or somewhere in the €46-50M range depending on who you ask. Some reports suggest a fee as high as €55M could be required to convince Freiburg to part with a player whose contract doesn’t expire until 2030.
A breakout season that caught everyone’s attention
Born on October 14, 2005, Manzambi joined Freiburg’s first team in 2024 after coming through the youth ranks at Servette. During the 2025-26 season, the midfielder racked up 47 appearances for Freiburg, contributing 7 goals and 9 assists.
His profile went from “promising Bundesliga talent” to “everyone’s top target” during Switzerland’s 2026 World Cup campaign. Manzambi delivered a brace in one match that earned him player-of-the-match honors. Multiple Premier League and European clubs have since declared their interest, though Newcastle appears to be leading the race.
