Newcastle United have reportedly shot themselves in the foot with Matz Sels deal

Follow us on Google Discover

Matz Sels arrived at Newcastle United with big expectations last summer but a disastrous Championship season means he could be sold.

Matz Sels in Champions League action

Twelve months ago, Newcastle United splashing out £5 million on Genk goalkeeper Matz Sels appeared to be good business.

After all, the Belgian had played in the knockout rounds of the Champions League just few months prior, only a sublime performance from Wolfsburg’s Julian Draxler in the first-leg blocking a quarter-final meeting with none other than Real Madrid.

“I am really pleased to welcome Matz to the club. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and many top clubs have been interested in signing him,” Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez said at the time, as reported by the BBC.

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

However, a year on, it’s fair to say Sels’ debut season in English football didn’t go to plan. The undisputed first choice goalkeeper for the opening weeks of the season, the 25-year-old’s inability to get used to the physical nature of the English game meant he was dropped indefinitely in October after one mistake too many.

Sell Sels

Karl Darlow remained between the sticks for the remainder of the season with Sels restricted to the odd cup outing. Not that they helped restore his reputation.

Sels gifted Hull City an extra-time equaliser prior to a penalty shoot-out defeat in the League Cup quarter-finals in November. And it appears that his final game for the club was January’s embarrassing 3-0 FA Cup defeat at League One Oxford United.

The Chronicle reports that Newcastle are now looking for buyers to take Sels off their hands. Though that is proving easier said than done. The club will want to recoup most of the hefty £5 million outlay they spent last summer but Belgian side Anderlecht were put off by both the price tag and their inability to match Sels’ wages.

The Chronicle adds that other teams in the Jupiler League are interested but, with five years remaining on Sels’ contract, they could only afford a season-long loan.

Fenerbahce are the latest side to express an interest and Newcastle will be hoping they haven’t dug their own grave by offering Sels a bumper deal last summer.