Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic are reportedly interested in bringing Chancel Mbemba to Parkhead from Premier League side Newcastle United.
It seems as if the arrival of Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig is not enough for Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is after another centre-half this month and Belgian publication Foot DRC reckons he has turned his attention to Newcastle United’s Chancel Mbemba.
The report states that Celtic have been monitoring the situation surrounding the Congolese captain for some time, with Rodgers an admirer. It is understood that Mbemba’s former club Anderlecht, who he left to join the Magpies in 2015, are interested, as are Serie A side Fiorentina.
Strangely enough, Mbemba is a popular figure with Newcastle fans, but it appears that manager Rafa Benitez does not rate the aggressive centre-back anywhere near as highly. He was a backup at best in their Championship title-winning season and has only made seven Premier League appearances in 2017/18, most of those coming at left-back in the absence of Paul Dummett.
But with the report adding that Newcastle want to recoup the £8 million they paid for Mbemba two-and-a-half years ago, Celtic would have to part with a club-record fee to encourage the Magpies into a sale.
Although if the Scottish champions can stump up the cash, it appears that a deal could be on the cards.
After all, Benitez is hoping to spend this month, but with owner Mike Ashley seemingly unwilling to invest in a below-average squad, the manager could be tempted to cash in on a number of his fringe players.
The Chronicle stated that Jack Colback, Massadio Haidara, Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons and Mo Diame are all up for sale. And if Celtic give an indication that they are willing to smash their transfer record, expect Mbemba to be made available, too.
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