Manzambi agrees Newcastle move, doubt for Argentina quarter-final

Newcastle agree £51.5m Manzambi deal

Johan Manzambi is heading to the Premier League. Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Freiburg worth around £51.5m for the Switzerland midfielder (4). The deal is done in principle but hinges on Manzambi completing his World Cup campaign without issues. Newcastle also moved to shut down any Bruno Guimarães exit talk, insisting the Brazilian is not for sale (4).

Manzambi a doubt for Argentina with knee injury

Here is the complication. Manzambi picked up a knee injury before the Colombia match and is now a serious doubt for Sunday's quarter-final against Argentina (2) (4). No official word yet from the Swiss camp, but losing your most creative midfielder before facing the world champions is the last thing Yakin needs.

Argentina await on Sunday

Switzerland face defending champions Argentina in the quarter-finals on Sunday, 12 July, at 03:00 CEST (3). Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Enzo Fernández all stand between your team and a semi-final spot. The historical record is lopsided, Argentina have dominated this fixture, but Switzerland just broke their penalty curse against Colombia. Yakin's defensive setup conceded almost nothing in that match (5).

Loretz leaves Luzern for Hannover

Away from the World Cup: goalkeeper Pascal Loretz has completed a move from FC Luzern to Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga (1). The 22-year-old turned down three other offers to become Hannover's new number one (1).

Fan reactions

The Manzambi-to-Newcastle news has hit the Switzerland fan base at a strange moment. Supporters are split, excitement about the Premier League move competing with anxiety over whether his knee holds up for Sunday. The £50m price tag is seen as fair business for Freiburg, but the timing, days before the biggest Swiss match in years, has everyone on edge. Read the full discussion