The Mail is reporting that Newcastle are very close to the signing of Anderlecht center-back Chancel Mbemba for about £7M, and the player was not in the squad that faced Lazio in Brussels for today’s game.
Sportsmail is reporting that Mbemba himself asked not to be included in the squad, with his transfer to Newcastle said to be very close – and the signs are that he will follow his pal and team-mate Aleksandar Mitrovic to Newcastle in the next few days.
Chancel Mbemba – didn’t want to play today
In fact Aleksandar Mitrovic has been seen within the hour arriving at Newcastle Airport.
The reported fee for Chancel is said to be around €10M – which is around £7M.
And in addition to the Mail report, Atletico Madrid were one of the other clubs interested in signing Mbemba, who has 16 caps for DR Congo, and new today they have signed another center-back.
There is a report in Italy today that the top Spanish side are about to sign Stefan Savic.
The 24 year-old former Manchester City defender and 32 times capped Montenegro International was left out of the Fiorentina’s pre-season tour at the last minute.
He was withdrawn from the tour 45 minutes before the squad was due to leave, and told a deal had been agreed to sell him to Atletico.
The report was put out by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport and the fee quoted is £10.5M.
While we know nothing is certain (because of the Loic Remy affair) until the player passes his medical and signs along the bottom line – it does seem that Newcastle have won the race to sign Mbemba.
Having the two Anderlecht players on board at Newcastle will be good – because it will help both of them to settle in quickly on Tyneside.
Oh yes – I almost forgot – they are also two excellent players who will strengthen what were weak links in the team last season.
If we sign Mitrovic for around £12.5M and Mbemba for £7M, and since we have signed Gini Wijnaldum for £14.5M, Newcastle will have brought in three players that cost us £34M so far this summer.
That would be a good start, but we still need at least two more top players brought in – one more center-back and one more striker.
How about Charlie Austin of QPR and Monaco center-back Aymen Abdennour?
Comments welcome.
268 comments so far
goommy
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:16 PM
Comment #41If we got him and Mitrovic we are ready for new season. No more striker. Give Ayoze chance!!
Noel Worst
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:17 PM
Comment #42Leadership roles should be given to those who are natural leaders, you can’t make somebody in to something they’re fundamentally not. Our natural leaders are SDJ by all accounts and although not particularly considered one before his arrival, Janmaat has demonstrated he too is one that steps up and takes responsibility and is thorough pro.
There are no other candidates in our squad as far as I’m concerned.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:18 PM
Comment #43JD DUBAI
Really isn’t as simple as just releasing somebody.
optimistic prime
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:20 PM
Comment #44Ycmiu
I like battlefield bad company, cracking game.
JDdubai
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:20 PM
Comment #45Jail
Im sure Pardew would take him for a season or 2…
lesh
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:21 PM
Comment #46Reyantoon
Has anyone ever doubted that Charnley knows what he’s doing?
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:22 PM
Comment #47goomy,
We need a RW and RB cover as well. People forget that we were so short of quality and numbers last year, Sameobi, RTaylor and Guti got regular game time. Ok we have Aarons, SDJ and Tiote fit again but we don’t have the other three at all.
optimistic prime
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:23 PM
Comment #48We could just give Colo’s address to Toonbrother, the club would at least get insurance.
nufc 11
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:25 PM
Comment #49His lack of height wound concern me remember yanga mbwia?
doofa the loofa
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #50Come on MA.. keep making those phone calls!!
colwell
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #51With Mitrovic signing I hope we forget Austin as good a player as he is and go after a striker/winger thats rapid. Our team still lacks pace up top, thats why so many teams can play quite far forward against us as Cisse is never going to out run anyone is he. Quick attackers scare defenders the most they can’t get forward as much as they’d never catch back up, speed is whats needed in the team.
JackButler
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Comment #52Jail
Do we have anyone coming through the ranks that can give cover at RB?
check the toastie
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:27 PM
Comment #53Anybody come up with a signing that would really prove this regime has changed, Lee ‘the mole’ Ryder reckons we gunna get a feet sweeping signature, wonder who that could be?
Can’t be British PL star as we don’t pay enough salary, very much intrigued?!!
magpiesi
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:28 PM
Comment #54These players coming here is all good for the future. A bit like cabaye we pulled that off and the rest knew his quality and followed from France. Mitrovic bangs them in and helps us climb the table even more players want to come. Remember cisse first 6 months had us right up there but Ashley missed a trick the next summer.
JackButler
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Comment #55If Lee Ryder said it was sunny outside I’d go fetch my brollie. The guy is the biggest troll related to NUFC
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Comment #56OP
Hahaha. Toonbrother doesn’t seem to loke colo very much. At least thats the impression i get.
Yeah, colo’s attitude is poor, and his skills have diminished with age, but toonbrother had him worse than willo and Staylor ffs.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:29 PM
Comment #57*like
BandB
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #58I hope that if we have a deal-sealer coming in, the first we know is when he’s holding up the shirt.
optimistic prime
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Comment #59JFA
Just read one of those ten things you need to know about this Mbemba lad.
Plays CB but equally at home at RB or midfield.
I think this is as close to RB cover as we’ll get.
Pizzicato The Arizona Geordie
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:32 PM
Comment #60Comparing Yanga-Mbiwa with Mbemba may be legit, but Yanga-Mbiwa is Pardew-ed and he was played out of position at RB. Hopefully SMC is not that stupid.
doofa the loofa
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:32 PM
Comment #61Magpiesi
Naive fans will not help in the long run!!
switch365
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:33 PM
Comment #62(Bicycle Made for 2)
Gini, Gini, score us a goal or 2
Keep on smiling, all over Sky Sports News
You’ll become an honorary Geordie
As you lead our team to glory
And you’ll look sweet, on the top front seat
On the bus round St James’ Park
(The Monkeys – I’m a believer)
I thought Mitrovic was just a fairytale
He’d sign for someone else but not the Toon
But he’s now a Geordie, and scores his goals for fun
We will score six, while you just score 1
At St. James’ Park, Mitrovic the Geordie
Hear the Geordies roar, from miles around
I’m in love, Mitro’s a Geordie, and he’ll be the, best in town
JackButler
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:34 PM
Comment #63I think Austin would be seen as that big time signing, he’s proven in this league, homegrown and would cost the best part of 15 million, but if he does come in then who goes out?
Munster Mag
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:34 PM
Comment #64Dont wish to be miserable but i hope he’s better than mbiwa carrs last choice
magpiesi
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:35 PM
Comment #65Shaqiri that’s a feet sweeping signing but last I heard ( rumours on him he wanted to go back to Germany)
12m tho a bit of a bargain for that type of player if true.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:35 PM
Comment #66JB,
Haven’t got a clue about the U21 RB, was going to ask that myself to be honest.
OP,
Simply isn’t acceptable, what happens if this guy forms a good partnership with Collo, that has to be interupted to play at RB, same with Anita.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #67If there is a wonder-signing on the cards, i would think it will be a wide foward. Somebody with a final product both crossing and shooting…..
….I have no idea who that would be.
Pedro? 😀
will die for the toon army
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #68Mbemba comes then for Austin or Abdennour to come we have to first sell players. Now Carr and Charnely come back to England to begin the exodus.
Belfast
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #69Did you lot not like the five things, reasons, facts articles that Lee Ryder was doing every day ?
Shame on you !
BandB
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #70JFA
Taylor can play there (if he is ever fit).
Colback will play wherever he’s told, and could cover a few places IF he isn’t seen as the player upon which the midfield is constructed and anchored.
And Anita if not Colback.
Not vouching for it, just saying it might appeal to wor lot.
JackButler
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Comment #71Funny how people form an opinion of Mbwia when he no real time to settle into life in the PL, was played out of position and playing for a team that was devoid of confidence and surrounded by a toxic atmosphere
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:37 PM
Comment #72Munster,
When Mbwia signed people were drooling over him, he started to look ok as well until he got shunted out to RB, to expensive to have him or Collo on the bench.
Munster Mag
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:37 PM
Comment #73Pizzicato pardew was right about mbiwa. He cudnt head and looked panicky a lot. Mind u putting him right back was silly but presume we had injuries. He had his chance and didnt suit english football.
magpiesi
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Comment #74Switch
His names Alexander he comes from Serbia he will get the ball and f***ing murder ya.
Pizzicato The Arizona Geordie
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Comment #75Every youngster is Pardew-ed.
Belfast
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:42 PM
Comment #76The only time he looked good was a 6 game spell alongside Williamson to be honest.
He’s got a 50p head
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:42 PM
Comment #77Mbiwa was colos future REPLACEMENT. They both play better alongside a more physical CB. They should not have been played together there. Mbiwa also was a competent LB, should never really have played at RB. He was neither used nor developed properly.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:43 PM
Comment #78BandB,
Aye, I’d forgotten STaylor is actually listed as an RB/CB not sure how often he’s played there though. I expect Jib will tell us after a bit of research.
optimistic prime
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:44 PM
Comment #79JFA
It wouldn’t be my choice but it’s how this lot works, they like players to play 2-3 positions instead of master of one.
JB
I thought there was a decent defender in M’biwa but he never got a real run at CB to show it.
I think Anita who’s been written off by many may make some people eat their words this season.
Reyantoon
Jul 19, 2015 at 6:44 PM
Comment #80lesh…I did!