Newcastle United's troubles are showing no signs of abating after Montpellier centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa failed to arrive for a planned medical, with Arsenal ready to swoop for the defender instead, according to the
Telegraph. Talks with club captain Fabricio Coloccini also ended in uncertainty after the Argentinian failed to resolve his future at St James' Park. The Magpies had an offer of around £7 million accepted by Montpellier and it was expected that Mbiwa would merely complete the formalities of the deal by passing a medical at the club, but he didn't arrive on Tyneside as expected, triggering fears that the club are about to miss out on another transfer target after being snubbed by Loic Remy. Newcastle are blaming adverse weather conditions for the delay but Arsenal's interest in the player will do nothing to avert fans' fears that their club are heading for another setback. Loic Remy was earmarked as a replacement for departing striker Demba Ba by Alan Pardew, but the Frenchman joined QPR instead after the R's hijacked the deal by paying him double what he would have earned in the North-East. And the news that Arsenal have been in contact with Montpellier regarding Mbiwa will cause alarm that the Magpies are about to be out-muscled in the transfer market yet again. Meanwhile, it was anticipated that Coloccini's meeting with the clubs hierarchy yesterday would yield the announcement of an amicable conclusion, but this did not come to fruition. The defender wants to return to Argentina and to former club San Lorenzo, but the Magpies want him to stay at St James' Park at least until the end of the season. Further discussions are planned later this week but Newcastle's failure to reach a compromise with the player will only add to the turmoil surrounding the beleaguered club.