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# Johan Manzambi comment sums up Newcastle transfer issue amid £46m Bergvall chase

- **Source:** 
- **Club:** Newcastle United
- **Original URL:** https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/johan-manzambi-comment-sums-up-34312970

Manzambi's move to Villa Park from Freiburg was confirmed on Friday after it emerged last weekend he had opted to move to Birmingham rather than Tyneside.

Newcastle had agreed a fee with Freiburg and personal terms with the player but the lure of Champions League football saw the 20-year-old World Cup star move to the second city instead.

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"I have a big message: I’m very excited to be here and we know that together we can do big things," Manzambi told Villa's official website. "I’m very excited to play in Villa Park. I am very, very happy and I am excited to play with this club.

"It’s a very big club in England, and they’re playing in the Champions League. I’ve already played against Aston Villa, and for me, it was the perfect plan. I hope I can play the same as in the World Cup and with Freiburg. I’m sure that with the team, the coach and the staff that I can do the same.

"I’m very excited. I could see on the pitch that he was a very good trainer. I’m very excited to be here and to be training with Unai Emery and the team.

"I’m very excited to be here with my new team-mates. It’s a great place here. I feel we can do big things, and we will see. With this staff and this team, I think we can do big things."

Newcastle's lack of European football has proven to be a stumbling block already this summer with the ex-Freiburg man not the only player to have chosen to move elsewhere despite Magpies interest.

United had also agreed a deal to sign Victor Munoz only for Liverpool to hijack the move for the Osasuna winger at the eleventh hour and they always feared their chase of Manzambi would end in similar fashion.

Newcastle are working on signing a number of other targets but there are fears it could rear its head again in the future. Lucas Bergvall has emerged as another midfield alternative, amid talk of a £46m move, but there is set to be major competition for the 20-year-old's signature.

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