We always thought Chancel Mbemba was a good defender and news today from Belgium outlet HLN that he looks set to join Porto.
Wages and a contract had been agreed with his former club Anderlecht.
But the Belgian club could not meet the transfer fee Newcastle wanted for the center-back who can play anywhere along the back four and in defensive midfield.
The Belgium press are reporting that Anderlecht Chairman Marc Coucke and head coach Luc Devroe have said that a deal with Newcastle became “impossible.”
Anderlecht are still negotiating for goalkeeper Matz Sels, but that deal is expected to go through before the end of the week.
Chancel Mbemba – in action against West Ham
If both deals go through they will be the first two first-teamers to leave Newcastle this summer and bring some money into Rafa’s transfer funds for the summer.
The previous news was that Anderlecht wanted both Mbemba and Sels for £8M which seemed a meager fee for the two players and Newcastle never agreed to that proposed deal.
Newcastle paid around £8M when we signed Mbemba from Anderlecht three years ago, and it looks like Porto are willing to pay Newcastle’s valuation of the Congolese defender.
It’s expected the deal will be completed in the next day or two.
Here’s an extract from the HLN report:
“A reliable Portuguese source tells us that the transition from Mbemba to FC Porto can be completed today or tomorrow.”
Mbemba played 11 times for Newcastle last season at left-back after replacing the injured Paul Dummett.
He played 59 times for Newcastle over the last three years with one goal.
Comments welcome.
3 comments so far
jazzyp
Jun 12, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Comment #1Carvalho and Bas Dost for MBEMBA please
RUNAWAY777
Jun 12, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Comment #2jazzyp they play for sporting not porto mate
jazzyp
Jun 12, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #3Runaway
Whoops sorry for that