Steve McClaren has identified the Congolese defender as his next target.
Newcastle’s summer recruitment drive is set to kick up a gear with a move for Anderlecht central defender Chancel Mbemba close to being agreed, according to dhnet.be.
The Congolese international joined Anderlecht in 2012 and has slowly cultivated a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in the country.
Newcastle are now set to shore up their interest by matching the Belgian club’s asking price – reported by DH to be around £7 million.
Mbemba is registered with FIFA as 20-years old – with a birth date of 8th August 1994 – but there has been controversy over his age in the past, with the player said to have registered a different date of birth – 8th August 1988 – while at Congolese club, ES La Grace back in 2006.
Despite that minor irregularity, there is no doubting the player’s promise and comparisons to a certain Vincent Kompany have been made by regular Jupiler Pro League observers.
Mbemba isn’t the tallest for a centre-back – standing at 5’11 – but makes up for it with his power and pace and can also operate at right-back.
The Anderlecht man is comfortable on the ball and, while by no means the finished product, will be an exciting proposition for Newcastle fans should they get a deal over the line.
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