Newcastle United expect Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa on Tyneside today to complete a medical and sign a four-and-a-half year contract later this afternoon, according to
BBC News. Mbiwa will reportedly move to Newcastle in a deal worth £6.7 million and will pick up £60,000-per-week, though personal terms are as of yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, we told you
last week that Alan Pardew was lining up a bid for Nancy left-back Massadio Haidara, in a deal said to be worth somewhere in the region of £2 million. The signings of Yanga-Mbiwa and Haidara would be a sign of defensive intent on Pardew's part, after he signed right-back Mathieu Debuchy from Lille recently. United have conceded 15 goals in the past 5 league games and have only won 3 of their last 18. There's further good news for Newcastle in that the Magpies boss is "upbeat" over chances that club captain and top earner Fabricio Coloccini will
remain with the club, despite the Argentinian wanting a move back home and to former club San Lorenzo. The Magpies club captain is expected to meet with Newcastle officials and manager Alan Pardew today over his future at the North East club.