Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has been told he would have to sell some of his players in order to get funds to do business in the January transfer window, and what earlier appeared as an opportunity to land £8.8million has now been denied the Toons.
Congo DRC leading news outlet FootDRC did claim Scottish giants Celtic were keen on signing Magpies centre-back Chancel Mbemba, with Newcastle more than willing to do business in order to recoup most of the £8.8million the 23-year-old was signed for from Anderlecht in 2015.
However, Celtic have denied ever having interest in the defender, although they are still keen on signing one despite bringing Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers rubbished the claims linking Mbemba with a Parkhead move, dealing a blow on Newcastle’s hopes of getting a willing buyer for their man.
Having sparsely been involved in action for the Toons, the market value of Congo international has definitely dropped, and it could be hard for the club to make more than half of their valuation of the defender should they get a buyer.
