Mulumbu admits to Toon talks

Newcastle have been in talks with West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu according to the player who is now open to a move away from The Hawthorns.

The 25-year-old former Paris St Germain midfielder had an impressive season for West Brom and was bettered in terms of tackles and interception by only Scott Parker and our very own Yohan Cabaye last term.

Mulumbu represents the Democratic Republic of Congo and has made 12 appearances at international level which supplement the 116 appearances he mas made for West Brom since joining them in 2009. If we do end up signing him it will increase speculation linking Cheik Tiote with a move away as he is about as close as a like for like replacement as you are going to get.

"We have already started talking to teams like Newcastle and Tottenham. For now, I'm leaving it all in the hands of my agent and I hope to have good surprises on my return from vacation," Mulumbu told Mercato365.

With teams like Newcastle and Tottenham being interested, along with other notable names (according to the press) such as Arsenal and Chelsea there appears to be some competition for the signature of the midfielder who now admits that he is looking for a fresh challenge after a spell in the Black Country.

"Last year, I thought it would be a little premature to go because it was my first full season. But I confirmed my promise this season. I continued to show all my abilities and I think I now have to look for another challenge," he said.

He added: "That's why I hope to join a club in another class. I had a good year, I'm pretty confident and I will leave it now to my agent. I'm going to go on holiday and come back stronger because I know that another big season ahead."

So there you go, right from the mouth of the player himself and not from an agent. I don't know if we're in for him but I do know he is a cracking little player who would fit straight into our team. In fact I believe he is slightly better than Cheik Tiote if truth be told as he scores more, tackles more, intercepts more, passes more and picks up less bookings all for a team who are apparently worse than us. That's just my opinion though...

What do you think? Would Mulumbu be a good signing, assuming we're even in for him?