Hoffenheim linked with Toon defender
CHANCEL Mbemba is on the radar of Champions League-bound Hoffenheim with his time at Newcastle United looking likely to end this summer.
The DR Congo international has been linked with a move to his old club Anderlecht in recent days.
But the defender wants to prove himself in one of Europe’s bigger leagues after a disappointing year on Tyneside.
Mbemba was a success in his first season at St James’ Park despite being part of the team that were relegated to the Sky Bet Championship.
But he made just 15 appearances under Rafa Benitez last term and slipped down the pecking order as Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune, and Ciaran Clark dominated the battle between the Magpies’ centre-backs.
Of those 15 games, he played a number out of position at left-back as emergency cover when Paul Dummett was injured.
Mbemba has not featured since playing in United’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea way back in January and his last Premier League appearance was December 27 against Manchester City.
But a move to German side Hoffenheim would give Mbemba the chance to play on the Champions League side and re-establish himself on the Continent.
The defender’s agent has been told to find him a new club after Newcastle made it clear he was no longer in with a shout of regular first-team action.
Anderlecht also want to sign Magpies goalkeeping flop Matz Sels on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell – and they have a good chance of getting their man.
The Belgian stopper arrived in the summer of 2016 from Gent but fell out of favour and returned to his home country on loan last season. And Sels recently launched a staunch defence of Mbemba, pictured, when he said: “For me, he’s one of the best defenders at Newcastle United.
“Why does he play so little?
“I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.”