According to the Northern Echo, NUFC outcast Chancel Mbemba has been told not to return to training by Rafa Benitez – even though he is STILL waiting to complete a potential move to Porto.
The defender is clearly not in Benitez’s plans ahead of the new season and has been in talks with Porto for several weeks now ahead of a potential move to Portugal.
It’s dragging on, with Porto believed to be offering a million or two short of our £8m asking price, but we’re hoping a deal can be struck as soon as possible – with him clearly having no future at Newcastle United.
Here’s what the Echo’s Scott Wilson has had to say on both Mbemba and Mitrovic’s situation today, admitting that the defender has been told not to bother returning to training:
“Benitez is willing to sell both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba this summer, but despite considerable interest, Newcastle are yet to receive an acceptable offer for either player.
“Fulham are expected to lodge a formal offer for Mitrovic once he returns from a post-World Cup break, while Porto remain interested in Mbemba, who has been told not to return to training.”
Hopefully this on can be sorted out sharpish, with the cash received for both Mitrovic and Mbemba likely to give us a real boost when it comes to potential incomings.
There’s no point keeping players who aren’t in Benitez’s plans – especially when the money they could raise will contribute towards some important buys for the first team.
Surely it would have made sense to agree a transfer of £6 million at the start of the window and saved nearly £1 million in wages.
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