Sky Sports - Newcastle make move to sign Mexico international
Accordin to Sky Sports, Newcastle are now pursuing a deal to sign Mexican international defender Diego Reyes - who is now available on a free after leaving Porto this summer.
With Mbemba's move to Porto said to be 'imminent', is this the man Rafa wants in as a replacement?
The story claims that Fenerbahce have already made an offer to sign the 25-year-old, however Sky's Keith Downie has also confirmed our interest in the 6ft 2' defender in the last few moments.
Reyes has played 53 times for the Mexican national side (and would have played for them in this summer's World Cup if it wasn't for a hamstring injury) and is also able to operate as a right-back or holding midfielder.
Here's what Sky have had to say about the deal, claiming West Ham are also keen:
'West Ham and Newcastle are interested in Mexico international defender Diego Reyes.
'Reyes, who has 53 caps for Mexico, is a free agent after his contract at Porto expired in the summer.
'Fenerbahce have made an offer for the 25-year-old centre-half.
'Reyes joined Porto from Mexican side America for €7m in 2013 and made 49 appearances for the Portuguese side.
'Reyes has made 53 appearances for the Mexican national side and has previously played in La Liga for Espanyol and Real Sociedad.'
https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1020012206145130496
It's not how we want to see business get done, but perhaps this is a deal which will help free up more funds for Rafa - with him replacing Mbemba (who's expected to leave for around £6-7m) with an inexpensive free agent.
A defender can't be high on our list of priorities - with attacking flair and a new goalscorer badly needed - however it would be a good job done to sign another centre-back once Mbemba is sold.
Here's him in action:
