It has emerged today that Anderlecht are now looking to push through a deal to sign Matz Sels permanently – however the Chronicle claim Newcastle are looking to recoup ‘at least’ the £6m paid for him in the summer of 2016.
A ‘dream move’ to England quickly turned into a nightmare for the Belgian international, but it looks like he may be returning to his homeland this summer after a season-long loan spell with Anderlecht – but he won’t come cheap.
The Chronicle claim that the club will be looking to receive a minimum of £6m for the 26-year-old, suggesting we are not prepared to make a loss on the goalkeeper who’s made just 14 appearances under Benitez:
“Anderlecht’s sporting director Luc Devroe is keen to agree a price on Sels with the Magpies after a successful loan deal for the goalkeeper this season.
“The two clubs are yet to agree a price for Sels but United will look to at least recoup the £6million fee they paid for the 26-year-old back in 2016.”
I would be surprised if we get the full £6m for Sels given Anderlecht’s finances are believed to be limited, however it’s good to see the club pushing to get the best price. He’s struggled at Newcastle and he’s made plenty errors at Anderlecht by all accounts, so I’m not sure how we could demand ‘at least’ £6m. His value’s went down if anything?
Some will say Sels was never given a fair chance, but he looks a little too fragile to cut it at Newcastle for me – not forgetting the fact Martin Dubravka looks set to be Rafa’s number one after showing how it’s done over the past few months.
Hopefully we can get a good wedge of that £6m paid for Sels and get him and several other NUFC outcasts off our books this summer. Raising funds and removing earners from the wage bill can only help Benitez’s pursuit to bring in fresh blood.
