Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are reportedly looking to beat Real Madrid to the signature of Swiss midfield sensation Johan Manzambi.
Johan Manzambi has only gone from strength to strength since joining SC Freiburg. Not only has he established himself as a key figure in their first team, but the Swiss international also finds himself on the wishlist of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
According to a report from Fichajes, Arsenal and Real Madrid are both keen on his signature. The Gunners are looking to beat the Spanish giants to the signing of the 20-year-old, who has been compared to French World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
Manzambi joined SC Freiburg at the start of 2023. The youngster went up the ranks at some pace, and he was already playing first-team football in the summer of 2024. He already has 50 first-team appearances to his name and has managed to establish himself and cement his spot in the Swiss national team.
The 20-year-old has been a standout performer for the German club this season. In his 39 outings across competitions, he has five goals and seven assists. While he prefers playing as a central midfielder, he can feature in any role in midfield. He could even be deployed as a second striker or a left-winger when needed.
European giants to battle for Manzambi
His impressive performances, massive potential and versatility have placed him on the radar of some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Real Madrid have been closely monitoring the 20-year-old. They are looking at him as an option to bolster their midfield in the medium and long run.
However, they will face stiff competition from Arsenal. With Christian Norgaard looking set to leave the club in the summer, Mikel Arteta wants to add more quality, and they believe Manzambi could be a great acquisition for the long run. His strong physical presence, ball control and ability to make runs from the deep could do wonders for them.
The Swiss international has multiple offers on the table, and it will be interesting to see which project he finds more intriguing. In the end, the finances and the sporting project will play a big part in his decision.
