Wages prove big stumbling block for Sels
NUFC Editor MATZ Sels is wanted again by Anderlecht – but his wages are blocking a potential departure from Newcastle in what could become a theme of the summer.
In a slightly surprising turn of events given the plethora of goalkeepers they have at their disposal, Newcastle want to bring in another shot-stopper and have an offer in for ex-Manchester City’s Willy Caballero - but they will want to shift Sels off the books first.
Newcastle have a crop of fringe men who are available for transfer this summer, right from striker Aleksandar Mitrovic through to Achraf Lazaar.
There are plenty of clubs interested in striking deals but they are going to be complicated by the wages those players are currently on.
Anderlecht are now looking at a potential loan deal and that could be the way many of United’s fringe men end up being released from their books for a year at least.
Grant Hanley is interesting Derby while Sels is a target for the Jupiler League side Anderlecht but they would struggle to match his wages of around £20,000-aweek. Similarly, Hanley would have to take a major pay cut.
Fenerbahce are also interested and Anderlecht director of football Herman Van Holsbeeck said earlier this month: “Matz Sels is a good goalkeeper but a deal will be complicated.”
Sels wants to play and ideally in England but, with the World Cup looming next season, he may return to Belgium to try to stay on Roberto Martinez’s radar with Russia on the horizon.
Newcastle, who sold Kevin Mbabu this week, hope to see some business done – in or out – this week.