The Chronicle have confirmed that Rafa Benitez will sell Chancel Mbemba this summer – and he could be off to Celtic, with claims that Brendan Rodgers is keen to sign him for the Scottish Champions.
The defender is an undoubted talent, but it’s quite telling that Benitez doesn’t fancy him, with him failing to make a single Premier League squad of ours since December 30th 2017 vs Brighton – and even then he didn’t come on from the bench.
During a piece on Rafa’s plans this summer, Mark Douglas confirmed that Rafa will sell the centre-back this summer – with Ciaran Clark also likely to attract interest after rarely featuring since the turn of the year:
“Benitez will sell Chancel Mbemba – interesting Celtic – and Ciaran Clark’s fall down the pecking order may see other clubs looking at him.
This isn’t the first time the Hoops have been credited with interest either, with it being reported back in January that they – and ex-club Anderlecht – were weighing up a move for the Congolese defender.
It’d be a bit of a shame to see him go as he’s got the makings of a very good player, but, with that in mind, he can’t be at Newcastle much longer if he’s classed as our fourth choice centre-back.
He’s better than that, and a move away this summer would be wise for all parties.
