Report coming from The Sun is claiming Celtic are closing in on signing Newcastle United out-of-favour defender Chancel Mbemba during this month’s transfer window.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has already made an addition to his defensive line this month after RB Leipzig star Marvin Compper made the move to Glasgow, however it seems that the Northern Irish manager work isn’t done in the transfer market.
According to the report from The Sun, the newspaper claimed Rodgers is weighing up a move for DR Congo international Chancel Mbemba, who deemed surplus to requirements at St James’ Park this season.
However, Celtic are bound to face keen competition from former UEFA Champions League opponents Anderlecht for the £30,000-a-week man, who sold Mbemba to the Toons back in 2015.
Chancel Mbemba may be finding first team opportunities under Rafa Benitez difficult to come by this season – he had just starts in the English Premier League this season – but the DR Congo captain has experience that shows he could be a hit at Celtic Park.
Alongside his 58 appearances for the Magpies in the English top-flight and Championship, Mbemba is a former regular at Anderlecht, where he shone in a title winning season and picked up Champions League group stage experience, where he netted two goals against Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Mbemba, rated a £6.3m by Transfermarkt, his also the captain of his national team, demonstrating he has leadership qualities need to interest the Scottish champions.
What’s more, Mbemba’s versatile too, having made a number of appearances for the Toons at left-back this season. It all adds up to a rather attractive package for a club like the Scottish giants, who can provide him with European football, trophies and regular action, the perfect platform to reach his potential.