Sels wages may prove stumbling block to Anderlecht move

BELGIAN champions Anderlecht have confirmed their interest in Newcastle United goalkeeper Matz Sels.

However, Anderlecht’s director of football Herman van Holsbeeck admits it will be complicated to conclude a deal with the Magpies, given the significant wage increase Sels received when he moved to the North East last summer.

As many as four clubs in Sels’ native Belgium hope to sign the goalkeeper this summer.

Anderlecht lead the way given they are the newly crowned champions and can offer the international shot-stopper Champions League football next season. Loan offers were made for Sels

(below) in January but he opted against leaving mid-season, instead choosing to stay and fight for his place at Newcastle.

However, he has slipped behind both Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow in the goalkeeping pecking order, while Tim Krul is also set to return to Tyneside this summer following his loan at AZ Alkmaar.

Although exciting youngster Freddie Woodman is likely to be loaned out once more, Rafa Benitez is understood to be in the market for another goalkeeper. Both Napoli’s Pepe Reina and former Manchester City stopper Willy Cabellero, who is now a free agent, are interesting the United boss. As a result, it appears Sels will be made available for transfer this summer and Anderlecht are interested. Sels’ wages could prove a stumbling block, however, and so the 25-year-old may need to take a pay cut to return to his native country.

“He is a good goalkeeper, but a deal will be complicated,” Anderlecht sporting director Van Holsbeeck said when asked about Sels.

The goalkeeper joined Newcastle in a £5.5m deal from Gent last summer and began the season as United’s No 1.

Although he kept four clean sheets in Newcastle’s opening nine Championship matches, Sels was dropped in September after struggling to adapt to the English game – particularly when it came to crosses – and he did not play another league match after that.