Newcastle United are in advanced negotiations to sell Matz Sels to Anderlecht on a permanent deal, according to a reliable journalist.
Kristof Terreur, who covers England-based Belgian players for newspaper HLN, has revealed via his personal Twitter account in a translation of a post from his colleague Pieter-Jan Calcoen, that the 26-year-old already has a “verbal agreement” with Anderlecht.
Calceon has explained that the contract discussed would run until the summer of 2023 and that the deal could be completed as early as next week.
Sels almost sold. Anderlecht are in advanced negotiations with Newcastle over Matz Sels. The goalkeeper already has a verbal agreement with #RSCA for 5 years. He joined the Belgian club on loan last summer. (Via @PJCalcoen) #nufc pic.twitter.com/alEBZ4NvCD
— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) May 23, 2018
De onderhandelingen met Newcastle gaan de goeie richting uit https://t.co/W5aRJaAoMh
— Pieter-Jan Calcoen (@PJCalcoen) May 23, 2018
OPINION
Sels is heading back to Belgium permanently and he will not be a major miss for Newcastle. Signed for £5.8million in the summer of 2016, the goalkeeper showed little in his 14 appearances for the north-east giants that he could be the answer for what has been a problem position since the retirements of Shay Given and Steve Harper. The huge impact made by Martin Dubravka since joining on loan in January in a deal that Newcastle are confident can become a permanent one has demonstrated the difference in calibre between the pair. Sels also appears more comfortable in his homeland, and he settled back in well during a season-long loan in the recently completed domestic season, with Anderlecht finishing third in the table. Newcastle appear eager to get the deal over the line fairly quick-smart as they accelerate the process of shaking up their goalkeeper roster. The club are eager to recoup most of their outlay on the Belgian and have been helped by his inclusion in Belgium’s all-star World Cup squad.
