Newcastle agree to Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa deal

Newcastle have reportedly agreed a fee for Montpellier captain and French international defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. If the reported fee of £6.7m for 23-year-old man turns out to be true, it will be another coup for the Tynesiders who have built a reputation for getting bargain deals in the transfer market. The Frenchman was also a long reported target for Arsenal.

Yanga-Mbiwa’s arrival would further re-enforce the French contingent at Newcastle after Mathieu Debuchy was also recruited earlier in January, while they also nearly got Loic Remy in before QPR came in with an audacious 11th hour bid to take the Frenchman to London. The Frenchman’s arrival would add to the oft leaky defence at Newcastle this season who have conceded 39 goals in 22 games. The deal also would go on to ensure a back-up if their skipper Fabricio Coloccini decides to bolt for his homeland due to personal problems. The deal is subject to a medical and personal terms.

If you haven’t seen the prodigious defender in action before, here are some of his highlights from last season where he led his side to their maiden Ligue 1 championship: