The Portuguese press continues to have mixed feelings about Chancel Mbemba’s transfer from Newcastle United to FC Porto. Apparently, the reason for it is the way his agent keeps feeding the rumours.
Earlier today, we’ve covered a story from A Bola which claimed that the clubs are struggling to find a deal for the defender. With the Magpies demanding €9m and the Dragons not willing to pay over €7m, the talks have stalled.
But newspaper Record ends up having a positive take on the story today, all because Mbemba’s agent Fabio Baglio has spoken about the negotiations once again.
The agent was first asked about an interest from Turkey, as this could be the reason why Porto are having difficulties to land the player. But he denied it.
“To Trabzonspor he’s not going!” Baglio told Record.
Just like A Bola, Record confirms that €2m is what currently separates Porto and Newcastle from a deal. But unlike the pessimism used by the first outlet, the second one says this is the ‘only obstacle’, as if the problem was easy to be solved.
Record have also used some quotes from the Anderlecht director Luc Devore, who pointed out that another club had joined the race, which the outlet assumes that would be Porto.
“We were very far in the negotiations, we talked a lot and we thought he would sign. We had everything settled with the agent, but who has to sign is the player… The day before his signature another club came.”
Now if Newcastle don’t find a deal with Porto, would they resume the talks with Anderlecht or did they miss a chance to sell the player?
