Chancel Mbemba is set to follow Alexander Mitrovic to Newcastle from Anderlecht, according to Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure.
The defender reportedly completed ‘medical tests’ on Sunday, which we assume were checks to confirm Mbemba’s age after Newcastle had some doubts. The transfer will become official once Mbemba signs his five-year contract with Newcastle, who have offered him a healthy financial package similar to the salary Mitrovic was presented.
Anderlecht, Mbemba’s current side will receive a great financial benefit, reportedly pocketing €10 million net profit on the Congo international, with some funds being used to compensate some of his former clubs.
The deal has been a long time coming, with Newcastle first expressing their interest in Mbemba back in January, but were unable to complete a deal before the end of the window, and it was reported yesterday that the £21m double-swoop was to be completed ‘imminently’.
Since then, Wolfsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Atlético Madrid were all interested in Mbemba however Anderlecht’s €10million asking price blocked a potential move to one of these sides.
This put Newcastle back in pole position for the 20-year-old and rushed through negotiations with Anderlecht as Steve McClaren is keen to enforce the Toon’s leaky defence.
