Transfer News: Newscastle Utd Close On Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa | Montpellier Captain to Finally Make Move

Newcastle United are closing in on Montpellier defender and Arsenal & AC Milan target Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa,

Alan Pardew’s Magpies are believed to have agreed a fee of €8M for the Montpellier skipper, with Yanga-Mbiwa agreeing a yearly salary of €3.8M according to Le 10 Sport..

If Newcastle could complete this signing it may help make up for missing out on Loic Remy who moved to QPR but they still need a striker to replace Demba Ba.

Yanga-Mbiwa came close to leaving the Stade de la Mosson last season,admitting he could have ended up at AC Milan or Arsenal, had Montpellier not blocked a switch.

The defender’s contract was due to expire in the summer, however he penned a fresh deal with Montpellier on the understanding he could leave for a set amount.

And that may indeed be the €8M Newcastle are thought to have offered.

The arrival of Yanga-Mbiwa could indicate that Newcastle have lost their battle to keep defender Fabricio Coloccini, who wants to go back to Argentina for personal reasons.

For Yanga-Mbiwa, Newcastle may well represent the perfect stepping stone to the club he has admitted is his dream, Manchester United.

source: insidefutbol