Chancel Mbemba’s potential transfer from Newcastle United to Porto is on the brink of collapse even though he has signed a pre-contract agreement, according to A Bola.
The Portugese publication claim the north-east giants have warned Porto that the centre-back, 23, will not leave for less than their asking price of £7.9million.
A Bola report that Porto are reluctant to offer more than £6.1million, which leaves the transfer hanging in the balance despite Mbemba penning four-year pre-contract over the last week.
Good move for Newcastle?
It would certainly represent decent business for Newcastle if they do not make a loss on their fourth choice centre-back. Signed for £8million from Anderlecht in the summer of 2015, Mbemba was surplus to requirements in the recent Premier League campaign and did not even make a matchday squad in the second half of the season as he found himself behind Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark in the central defender pecking order. Rafael Benitez would surely want four senior centre-backs in his squad, but there are doubts as to whether he rates Mbemba, even though he was a central figure in their promotion-winning campaign.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
There is no agreement – yet- between Newcastle and Porto even though Mbemba has agreed reported personal terms. But don’t rule out a deal completely. The player is clearly keen to join the Portugese champions, who may yet increase their offer so it’s more to the English club’s liking. There could be a few more twists and turns in this one.
This is Futbol rating 7/10