Anderlecht’s sporting director has revealed just how deals to sign Chancel Mbemba and Matz Sels broke down – suggesting that Mbemba was swayed by late interest from Porto, whilst the club were simply unable to afford an ‘expensive’ Matz Sels.
The latter seems a little strange given our rumoured asking price of £2.25m (they were believed to be offering just £1.75m), however it seems like a deal was all agreed for Mbemba’s return – only for Porto’s offer to be more tempting for the Congolese defender.
Here’s what their director Luc Devroe has had to say on both deals today:
“We were already very far in the negotiations, we were really sure he would come back. There was already an agreement with his broker but it is the player who still has to sign, that did not happen when another club showed up.”
So, it sounds like Mbemba was all set to sign until his head was turned as soon as Porto showed interest. In a way, I can’t really blame him.
Regarding Matz Sels, his answer was simple, with him stating that a deal for the goalkeeper proved ‘too expensive’ for the club:
“He is too expensive”
The Chronicle have stated that a deal for Sels could be resurrected, but only if we reduce our demands.
As far as Mbemba is concerned, it’s being reported that he’s already agreed personal terms with Porto, however they may need to up their offer from £6m to our asking price of £8m if they wish to be successful.
Swap Mbemba + 10mil for Juan Quintero.
He looked class for Columbia the other day.
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