NUFC transfer now ‘imminent’ as Ashley finally buckles on price – Fellow outcast could now stay

According to reports in Portugal today, Chancel Mbemba’s move to Porto is now ‘imminent’ after the club finally agreed to reduce their asking price – however fellow outcast Matz Sels may be set to stay with Newcastle ‘struggling’ to find a new buyer.

Mbemba’s move to Porto had been stalling, with Newcastle said to be demanding £8m and Porto refusing to pay more than £6m, however Portuguese outlet ‘Record‘ now claim that his move is ‘imminent’ after we agreed to lower out demands.

They state that he will finally make the move official over the ‘next few days’, however teammate Matz Sels may not be so lucky in his bid to find a new club.

The Chronicle claim that ‘little interest has arrived from elsewhere’ ever since the Belgian international’s proposed move to Anderlecht collapsed.

As a result, Sels is now speaking like a man who’s decided to fight for his place at NUFC – realising that a move away may not materialise:

“It’s nice to be back at Newcastle. I had a great year at Anderlecht last season and I have come back stronger,” Sels said after playing the second half of United’s opening pre-season friendly victory over St Patrick’s Athletic.

“We will see what the new season will bring with me in a stronger position in myself. No, we [Benitez and I] haven’t spoken about my situation and potential gametime.

“I know Martin did well last year so we will see what happens. At this moment Martin is the clear No 1, but we will see.

“It’s true that I want to be a success here. In the beginning it is difficult because you have to adapt to a new style of play, and also it was my first time abroad.

“I think I’m stronger now but we will see what the possibilities will be in the coming weeks.

“Maybe there are clubs who will show interest and we will see because there are five [goalkeepers] at training and that is too many.

“I’m a Newcastle player, I am trying to work hard and improve. But we will wait and see what happens – but my mind is with Newcastle right now.”

Ironically, the pair looked set to seal a double move to Anderlecht earlier in the summer – but both look set to be going in very different directions now.

Hopefully the £6-7m we receive for Mbemba is reinvested and some sort of move is found for Sels – a player who has next to no chance of dislodging Martin Dubravka as our number one going into the new season.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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