Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa Linked with Return to Ligue 1 Amid Interest from Bordeaux and Marseille
Former Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa could be set for a return to French football next season after a year and a half with Newcastle United. The French defender, who joined Newcastle during the winter transfer window, has reportedly attracted interest from several Ligue 1 clubs.
Bordeaux have made Yanga-Mbiwa a priority target for the summer transfer window, although the club’s president has expressed concerns over the player’s valuation. Despite this, Jean-Louis Triaud, Bordeaux’s president, is said to be keeping negotiations open.
Meanwhile, Marseille has also emerged as a strong contender to secure the services of Yanga-Mbiwa, with sources suggesting that the club is preparing a formal offer. According to the Newcastle-based daily The Chronicle, talks between the English club and Marseille are already underway, with a first bid expected this week. The proposed fee is believed to be around £5 million (approximately €6.5 million).
Yanga-Mbiwa, who is under contract with Newcastle until June 2018, has made 23 Premier League appearances this season. However, the defender has struggled to replicate the consistent performances he delivered during his time at Montpellier.
As the transfer window approaches, the former Montpellier man’s potential move back to Ligue 1 could mark a fresh chapter in his career, with Bordeaux and Marseille leading the chase.