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Arsenal join race to sign Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi

By on April 20, 2026

Arsenal have entered the race to sign exciting Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg next summer, according to Ekrem Konur.

Manzambi has continued to make impressive progress since joining Freiburg, establishing himself as an important figure in the first team.

He arrived from Servette FC’s youth setup at the start of 2023 and quickly rose through the ranks, making his Bundesliga debut on August 21, 2024, as a substitute in a 3–0 away defeat against FC Heidenheim.

Since then, he has made over 50 senior appearances and secured his place in the Swiss national team setup.

The 20-year-old has been one of Freiburg’s standout performers this season, recording six goals and seven assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. Primarily a central midfielder, his versatility allows him to operate in multiple roles — including as a second striker or on the left wing when required.

Now, according to Konur, Manzambi’s displays for Freiburg this season have piqued the attention of several clubs across Europe.

One of the clubs eyeing a move for the 20-year-old is Arsenal, according to the journalist who claims that the North London club have expressed interest in signing the exciting midfielder next summer.

Exciting midfielder

However, the Premier League leaders face stern competition in the race for Manzambi from several European giants, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen, Konur adds.

With a contract at the Europa-Park Stadion that runs until 2030, as well as keen interest from several clubs, Freiburg will likely demand a fee well above his £30m Transfermarkt valuation.

Across Europe’s major leagues, few managers can rival the midfield depth currently available to Mikel Arteta, with Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, and Eberechi Eze strengthening an already established core that includes Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard, and academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.

However, from a long-term perspective, the midfield remains the most pressing area for Arsenal, as it is the oldest unit in their outfield, with Nwaneri the only midfielder under 26.

As a result, Manzambi would represent a smart addition to gradually integrate into the squad and eventually step into a more prominent role over the coming seasons, ensuring a smooth transition should any of the current options depart the club.