According to the Chronicle, Porto are yet to match Newcastle’s asking price for Chancel Mbemba – denying reports that an £8m deal had already been agreed between the two clubs.
Lee Ryder’s latest piece on the deal is now suggesting that the price tag we’ve slapped on Mbemba is ‘proving an issue’ for Porto – who are yet to match our valuation for the 23-year-old.
The story confirms that Mbemba has already agreed personal terms with Porto, however the Chronicle state that it’s ‘unlikely’ that we’ll receive £8m for him, with Porto clearly struggling to pay our asking price:
Understand that Porto and #nufc have not come to an agreement on Chancel Mbemba. Porto yet to match the asking price for the centre-back.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) June 15, 2018
Here’s what his agent’s had to say on the matter today, confirming that they are ‘waiting’ for an agreement between the two clubs before he’ll complete his medical:
“He is very excited about signing for FC Porto. He is waiting for an agreement between the two clubs to travel to Portugal in order to undergo the medical examinations and put the signature on paper.”
So, it sounds like he’s still likely to sign, but Porto may have to offer something closer to our asking price if it’s to go through – giving us a taste of what other clubs have to deal with when we try and sign players for below the price tag!
With Sels’ move to Anderlecht now in doubt, let’s hope Mbemba’s exit doesn’t collapse – especially when there seems to be quite an emphasis placed on us cutting the wage bill and raising funds before we’ll start spending this summer.
