News

Newcastle Make 8m Euros Bid For Centre-Back

Newcastle were desperate for a centre-back anyway and with the Coloccini situation it could move to critical if our Argentinian captain feels he has no choice but to return home and deal with personal issues.

However, is is now being reported in France that Newcastle have agreed a fee of around 8m Euros to buy Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from current French champions, Montpellier.

This is what Le 10 Sport are reporting this morning (thanks again to our resident translator Pierre);

‘According to our information (at le 10 Sport) , Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will soon join with the English club Newcastle.

According to our information, the final details of the transfer were resolved Friday between both parties.

The transfer fee should be around 8 million euros. The French international will receive a contract of 3.8 million euros per year’.

This is how we reported on claims of Newcastle’s interest in Mbiwa in the summer.

Reported 28th August

It is reported that Newcastle United had Montpelier captain Yanga-Mbiwa watched at the weekend, early this month the player declared an interest in coming to Tyneside and claimed that Newcastle had also made clear they were interested.

We previously covered this story on 8th August (see extracts below) and the quotes came from an interview the defender gave to an Italian media organisation, leading to the heavy AC Milan slant – now the Daily Mail amongst others have reported Newcastle watching him play for Montpelier a couple of days ago.

The player has still not signed a new contract so has only a year to go, this would represent a major capture who wouldn’t come cheap, though predictably other clubs are also having their name thrown into the hat..

What We Reported 8th August

‘At the age of only 23, Yanga-Mbiwa is captain of the newly crowned French champions, Montpellier and if Newcastle were to capture him then it would represent a big step forward on the transfer front.

With only a year left on his contract there could be some wriggle room when it comes to any transfer fee.

He could continue his adventure at Montpellier

The defender prefers to consider every possibility. “It’s possible that I can renew my contract with Montpellier, just as it is possible that I do not renew it,” but then goes on to say “I do not exclude the possibility of renewing my contract with Montpellier.”

Newcastle is a nice alternative

In addition to AC Milan, Newcastle seems to have made it clear that they are keen on Yanga-Mbiwa. Again, this situation has some attractive advantages for Yanga-Mbiwa. “I know that Newcastle is also interested in me” says the Montpellier defender. And Yanga-Mbiwa already seems to have started his project such as a detour to Newcastle before finishing in Milan? Why not … “Newcastle is a great opportunity for me, and I hope that eventually I could join Milan. Newcastle before joining Milan would give me the chance to mature even more and gain more experience. We’ll see what happens.”