Newcastle Nervously Waiting On Work Permit For Potential New Signing

Newcastle United may have hit a potential snag as they look to complete their double raid of Anderlecht - with defender Chancel Mbemba's work permit application proving far more complex than first envisioned. Aleksandar Mitrovic was unveiled as a Newcastle player on Tuesday after his £12.3 million move was completed - but his former Anderlecht teammate Mbemba may have to wait a little longer to become a Magpie. Although the Toon hierarchy have agreed a £7.5 million deal for the 20-year-old defender, The Northern Echo claim that complications over his potential work permit could delay any deal.

As of May, the Football Association have made the rules more stringent for clubs trying to gain work permits for players from non-European Union countries who also find themselves outside of the top 50 in FIFA's world rankings. With the Democratic Republic of Congo currently 60th, Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley will ask the FA if it is likely that the 16-cap international will be granted a work permit before attempting to finalise the deal. However, in all likelihood Mbemba will join Mitrovic as a Toon player in the coming days. DR Congo international Memba was also being chased by Atletico Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg - but Newcastle appear to have won the race of his suitors. The defender has been linked with the Magpies in the past, and the six-foot-tall full-back-cum-centre-back has already been capped 16 times by the Democratic Republic of Congo at the tender age of 20 and he looks set to become a real superstar. There have been controversies over his age, however, with his date of birth having been registered as both August 8th 1988, as well as August 8th 1994. In fact, allegations arose back in 2013 that he did actually have €œfour separate birth dates€ registered with different organisations, and with FIFA that birth date makes him 20. Versatile enough to be able to cover at centre-back, the defender would be able to fill in for a number of positions at St James€™ Park, which has made him an attractive option. Mbemba has made 56 league appearances since progressing into the first-team at Anderlecht back in 2012, scoring six times, and he has won both the Belgian Pro title and the Belgian Super Cup (twice). CLICK HERE to read "12 Things Newcastle Fans Need To Know About Chancel Mbemba".For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.