Newcastle Courted Chancel Mbemba From November, Claims Agent, As Defender Flies In For Medical

NUFC's spending it set to hit the £35m mark.

By Chris Waugh /

Chancel Mbemba is flying into Tyneside for his medical as he looks to complete his transfer to Newcastle United from Anderlecht, with the Magpies having pursued the defender since at least November, according to his agent. The 20-year-old admitted his "dream" was "coming" true as his £7.5 million transfer from Anderlecht to Newcastle neared completion, with the player having visited Paris to receive assurances that he would be granted a work permit. He will land in the North East on Thursday to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a deal. Aleksandar Mitrovic was unveiled as a Newcastle player on Tuesday after his £12.3 million move was completed, and Mbemba will soon follow - with the defender's agent having claimed the Magpies' interest has been long held, with Graham Carr having watched the Democratic Republic of Congo international at least as far back as November.
Quoted in the Northern Echo, Mbemba's agent Fabio Baglio - who will fly to Tyneside with the defender - said:
"The interest of the English (Newcastle) does not date from yesterday (Tuesday). "The head of scouting at Newcastle (Carr) came to see Chancel during a Champions League match in Dortmund. "He was impressed, and Newcastle continued to follow Chancel. Since the club had the means to the amount requested, the negotiations were quick."
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 DR of Congo currently 60th, Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley has asked the FA if it is likely that the 16-cap international will be granted a work permit before attempting to finalise the deal - and seems to have received the assurances he needed.
Mbemba will join Mitrovic as a Toon player - likely within the next 48 hours - provided he passes his medical on Thursday. Mbemba told HLN ahead of his imminent move to Tyneside:
€œI€™m very proud of myself. I€™ve worked very hard to achieve this (a move to Newcastle). It€™s a child€™s dream coming true. €œWhen I arrived at Anderlecht I had nothing. Some days I even didn€™t know if I would eat that day 0 and look where I am now.€
What€™s more, Mbemba€™s former Anderlecht teammate Mitrovic also confirmed that the pair would soon be €œreunited€ at the Magpies. Quoted in Belgian paper HBVL, Mitrovic revealed Mbemba€™s deal is also close. He said:
€œI know the players of Newcastle only from Match of the Day on the BBC. €œIt€™s so nice that (the move) also come (with) Chancel Mbemba. €œI€™ll be reunited with my regular opponent in training.€
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 €œ12 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.