Newcastle United have thrown a deal for Matz Sels into doubt after it emerged that the North East club have rejected a bid from Anderlecht for the keeper, according to The Sun.
The report states that the Magpies have turned down a bid of £1.75million for the 26-year-old Belgian, with Sels having spent the entirety of the previous campaign on loan in his homeland where he starred in the Jupiler Pro League, making 22 appearances with eight shut-outs.
Newcastle have a wealth of options between the sticks and having only just signed Martin Dubravka on a permanent deal, there is also competition from Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot, and Freddie Woodman for the position.
This makes an exit of Sels likely, but according to the report, the Magpies want a further £500,000 in order to part ways with the stopper and Anderlecht do not want to pay more, which could be a bombshell to Rafael Benitez who will not want five goalkeepers on his books.
OPINION:
Newcastle might just be the maker of their own problems as it has emerged that following the rejection of the bid, Anderlecht are refusing go any higher and they have ended their interest in the player who starred for them last season. Given that there is so much talent in the position at St James’ Park, and the fact that Sels’ opportunities at the club have been minimal, it is unlikely that Newcastle would have been able to demand a higher fee for the 26-year-old and they ought to have accepted the offer due to the fact that there will not likely be a high demand of takers for the Belgian. It is hard not to envisage a transfer to go through and if Anderlecht return with a slightly improved offer, the Magpies must agree to the sale, as having five keepers in the position makes little sense at all. It is not likely that Woodman will be hanging around much longer either as the 21-year-old is desperate for first-team action.