Newcastle United have confirmed that following Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa's appearance for Roma yesterday the reported permanent transfer clause in his loan deal has been activiated. The former Montpellier captain's move to the Italian capital has been reported to be for a fee of £5.5m. Although he was unable to establish himself at Newcastle United under former manager Alan Pardew, he has impressed in Serie A this season and become an integral part of their defensive rotation. If you were one of those fool idiots who entertained the idea that maybe a continental coach would be named in January paving the way for a triumphant return for MYM (such as myself), consider yourself a) embarrassed for even thinking such a thing and b) wrong on both counts.
On a somewhat related note, Moussa Sissoko has given a French-language interview in which he says that Paris Saint-Germain would be a difficult move to turn down, reiterates that he wants Champions League football (while implying that he won't see that at Newcastle) and all of the things that are supposed to make us panic that he will be leaving in this window. While this is as predictable as winter rain in Seattle, I am the guy who was one year ago sitting here yelling at the top of my lungs that there was probably nothing to worry about with regards to Yohan Cabaye to PSG in January rumors (thanks for the reminders, Time Hop)... so panic as necessary.
On the other hand, there have been suggestions that Newcastle will not exclusively sell in this window, although the existing rumors will not bring any immediate help to Head-Coach-Until-The-End-Of-The-Season John Carver. Stories that MK Dons hotshot Dele Alli and NUFC are in final stages of a sign-and-loan deal are gaining steam. The reported transfer fee is £4m rising to a potential £5m with Alli staying in Milton Keynes until the end of the season. The 18 year old midfielder lists his favorite player as Steven Gerard, a player who you can find his own game compared to if you are into that kind of thing. Although nothing has been announced officially, the obligatory "Welcome to NUFC" video has been put out on Youtube and the kid can find some nice passes for sure.
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There are two other players out there in the rumor mill who are also on the sign-and-loan plan but with a little less print behind the rumors. Apparently Newcastle have been emboldened by the success of Ayoze Perez and shifted some attention to Spain but this time casting an eye on even younger players. Spain U-19s David Concha and Jorge Mere are the players being tabbed for a summer arrival on Tyneside after seeing out a loan deals with their respective Segunda Division clubs.
David Concha is a 18 year old winger for hometown club Racing Santander who can also play as a forward, although in 23 appearances for Santander he has only managed to net once. He has been called up to the Spain U-19 squad although he has not made an international appearance to this point.
Jorge Mere addresses a current need in the Newcastle squad, but like his compatriot Concha is likely one for the future as the 17 year-old center back would seem unlikely to make an impact in the near future in the Premier League.
If Lee Charnley and Graham Carr are able to finalize deals for these three young players, it would have to be considered a nice step for the future of the club, although the moves would not be without concern as million-pound-man Gael Bigirimana was also a player who looked to have it all in front of him before being snapped up from Coventry City two years ago yet has failed to establish himself in first team reckoning at St. James' Park. On the other hand, if they do all turn out, having the two Spaniards and the Next Steven Gerrard to line up next to Callum Roberts who has just signed a professional contract with the club and has been compared to Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by Peter Beardsley is enough to get one excited. Let's be honest... if they were even somewhere in the middle of the potential spectrum, it would be a shot in the arm to a youth system that is still struggling to produce impact players for the first team.