Arsenal poised to snatch Newcastle target

More potential bad news for Newcastle United fans has reached us in the Football Transfer Tavern, with John Cross of the Daily Mirror reckoning they may be about to have another signing snatched from under their noses.

The man in question is French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, for whom the Magpies have agreed a £6.7 million fee for with Montpellier.

Yanga-Mbiwa is highly rated in France, and is capable of playing as a centre back or full back, and is even capable of operating as a holding midfielder.

With the fee agreed, Alan Pardew will be hoping to agree personal terms with the 23-year-old as quickly as possible, with reports emerging that Arsene Wenger is poised to try and make an 11th hour signing.

Arsenal have been linked with the player themselves, with Wenger desperate for a holding midfielder as well as a potential replacement for Bacary Sagna who struggled in yesterday’s defeat to Chelsea.

Yanga-Mbiwa also impressed against the Gunners during the Champions League group stages earlier in the season.

But it appears Newcastle are the club most in need of the signing, having endured a dreadful transfer window so far. Yanga-Mbiwa would be viewed as a like for like replacement for captain Fabricio Coloccini who wants a move back to Argentina for family reasons.

Newcastle have already sold Demba Ba to Chelsea for £7m this transfer window, while seeing their move for Loic Remy hijacked by QPR at the last minute.

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