Matz Sels to leave Newcastle for Ligue One’s Strasbourg

With a lot of keepers in the system and the permanent signing of Martin Dubravka, Matz Sels being sold is hardly a surprise. The Belgian international was one of Benitez’s first transfers in the summer of 2016, just before Newcastle would play in the Championship. Benitez definitely envisioned Sels to have a much larger impact than he did with the Toon, but not everything works out as it is hoped. In fact, Sels’ career at St. James’ Park was just short of a disaster for a young and developing keeper.

Sels was ultimately loaned out to Anderlecht of Belgium’s First Tier just a year later. He would only appear in 9 matches in the Championship for Newcastle.

At the moment, Sels is in France to complete his move to a newly promoted Strasbourg in Ligue One of France. Per reports, the amount Benitez is getting back is £3.5 million which will hopefully stay out of the hands of Mike Ashley and used elsewhere to bolster the squad. Sels follows the recent departure of Chancel Mbemba who left for FC Porto. The transfer window will close on August 9th.