Report: Newcastle’s Matz Sels could complete Anderlecht move next week

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sell Matz Sels and a move could be completed next week.

According to a report from Belgian outlet HLN, Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels could see his permanent switch to Anderlecht finalised as early as next week as talks continue to progress.

Magpies fans would be forgiven for forgetting that Sels remains on their books. BBC Sport reported that Newcastle paid £5 million to sign the goalkeeper ahead of their campaign in the Championship, and Rafa Benitez swiftly made the 26-year-old his first-choice.

However, after an unconvincing run in the team, Sels was dropped from the side and did not play in the league after September, with his remaining appearances for the club coming in the cup competitions as Karl Darlow spent the majority of the campaign as the number one.

The Belgian then returned to his native country for a loan spell with Anderlecht, for whom he has impressed enough that HLN reports that they are keen to agree a five-year deal with the stopper.

And while HLN adds that the transfer fee had been a stumbling block, it appears that the two clubs are making progress on a deal with a move set to be completed by next week.

While Sels may argue that he was not given enough of a chance to be a success at St James’ Park, it is undoubtedly a move that makes sense for all parties as Anderlecht have given the stopper the chance to get his career back on track.

And with Martin Dubravka proving to be a superb loan signing – a loan signing that most of the Toon Army will be hoping is kept on permanently – Benitez does not need to worry too much about whether he may regret not using Sels for longer before dropping him.