Newcastle defender could leave for as little as half price

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Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa looks set to leave the Magpies this summer in a cut price deal.

According to the Newcastle Chronicle, the Newcastle United defender is in talks with St Etienne, after turning down both Lens and Bordeaux.

Yanga-Mbiwa is said to have agreed terms with the Ligue 1 side, with an agreement over a transfer fee the only aspect of the deal yet to be arranged.

However, the 25-year-old could leave St James’ Park for as little as half the £6.7 million fee he joined the Magpies for.

Yanga-Mbiwa has endured a frustrating spell on Tyneside, although he could officially remain a Newcastle player if both clubs agree on a loan move.

As Opta stats show, the France international only made 23 appearances for the Magpies last term, with several of those coming at full-back.

Yanga-Mbiwa was particularly ineffective in the air, averaging less aerial duels won than any other Newcastle centre-back, although he performed farely well in terms of tackles and interceptions won, as well as the amount of effective clearances he averaged per game.

The 25-year-old’s exit would leave Newcastle with just Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson as recognised centre-backs, suggesting boss Alan Pardew may be tempted to scour the market for a new addition.

Pardew has already enjoyed a productive transfer window to date, with Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback and Siem de Jong all having moved to Tyneside, while the Magpies are expected to bring in a number of new recruits, including Remy Cabella.