Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba is being lined up by Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper report that the enforcer’s time on Tyneside is set to come to an end in the coming weeks and Champions League-bound Hoffenheim have joined the hunt for his signature.
The Chronicle claim that Mbemba is keen to prove himself in one of Europe’s other big leagues, with former club Anderlecht the other team linked with a swoop so far.
Good move for Newcastle United?
On the face of it losing Mbemba looks like a silly move for Newcastle, with the Congolese seen as a good back up for their first-choice defenders.
However, the 23-year-old has been so out of favour with Rafa Benitez this season that an exit has been on the cards for a long while, and his loss will not be felt too keenly.
For whatever reason Benitez has decided that Mbemba is not quite good enough for the Magpies, and the Spaniard’s impeccable judgement should see Newcastle move on seamlessly from his departure.
Nothing but Newcastle rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
It is almost certain that Mbemba will leave St. James’ Park this summer, with the 23-year-old having dropped out of first-team contention for most of the 2017/18 season.
A move back to Anderlecht had looked very much on the cards, and that move will still be available for Mbemba, but a switch to Bundesliga high-flyers Hoffenheim would be a much more attractive option.
The possibility of playing in the Champions League is massive for Mbemba, and he will surely jump at this chance should it end up coming his way.
Nothing but Newcastle rating: 4/10
