Anderlecht wanted to sign Matz Sels and Chancel Mbemba from Newcastle.
Goalkeeper Sels, 26 and powerhouse defender Mbemba, 23, have both interested Belgian giants Anderlecht in what would be a return to the Belgian giants for both stars.
Sels enjoyed a season-long loan at Belgium last season, while Mbemba joined The Toon from Anderlecht in the summer of 2015. Both were in talks over a return to the Jupiler League outfit.
However, moves have fallen through to sign the duo and Devroe spoke of his frustration at failing to land either Sels or Mbemba, who are clearly frozen out and surplus to requirements at Newcastle.
On Sels, Devroe put it simply: “He is too expensive,” before commenting on Mbemba: “We were already very far in the negotiations, we were really sure he would come back.
“There was already an agreement with his agent. But it is the player who still has to sign, that did not happen when another club showed up.”
Devroe (L), during his Club Brugge days.
It is believed that the “other club” Devroe talks about are Portuguese giants Porto, with Mbemba’s head seemingly being swayed towards the Liga NOS side.
It remains to be seen if Rafa Benitez manages to offload the duo, with two years remaining on Mbemba’s contract and three still to run on Sels’ five-year deal in which he signed in the summer of 2016.
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