There were more French reports today that Newcastle United are still interested in 21 year-old Cameroon International defensive midfielder Stephane Mbia.
Stephane Mbia - 21 year-old defensive midfielder - lots of clubs interested
We reported back on 21st March, that Newcastle were interested in the 21 year-old, and news today that Newcastle are still maintaining their interest in the youngster.
Mbia is also being targeted by Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham and Rennes are now said to be seeking at least £4M for 21 year-old M’Bia.
Stéphane Mbia Etoundi was born in May, 1986 in Yaoundé and plays for French club Stade Rennais. He is a defensive midfielder, but he can also play at right-back. At just under 6′2″ tall, he is a dominant looking midfield player.
In the recent African Cup of Nations quarterfinals in Jnauary, Mbia was in excellent form in the game against Tunisia, and scored two goals, including the game winner in the second minute of extra-time, to carry Cameroon to victory.
Newcastle’s Geremi played in that game too for Cameroon, and it may be that Geremi will be able to help attract Mbia to Newcastle.
The tall Rennes star is now said to be rated around £4M but back in March £10M was the fee being quoted for him. So exactly what he will cost we have to say we have no good understanding of the fee right now but we think it’s a lot closer to £4M.
Mbia has played 53 times for the French club.
While he would be a good acquisition for the club, there are many other teams in the running, but so far none of the top four seem to be expressing an interest for the player.
So we would seem to have a reasonable chance of attracting the player to Tyneside. Mbia turns 22 on May 20th.
Here is Stephane’s playing record to date.
Youth Clubs Years Academy 2003-2004 Kadji Sports Academy 2004 Stade Rennais B Senior clubs Years Club App Goals 2005- Stade Rennais 53 1 2005- Cameroon 11 3
Comments welcome.
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56 responses so far ↓
1 Eric // May 9, 2008 at 14:28
Buy him for the simple fact that Spurs are also supposed to be interested? Could be one for the future though. Must check him out.
2 Hamas (51times) // May 9, 2008 at 14:35
£4m isn’t a lot really…probably worth it if we don’t get Veloso, which I don’t think we will
3 Eric // May 9, 2008 at 14:37
Not much on YouTube but he seems a sturdy player. In one clip it seems as though Milan Baros thinks the boy has a personal odour problem. Any more news. Have they had their beer and sandwiches in London yet?
4 ELFER // May 9, 2008 at 14:39
I’m a bit sceptical on these youngsters…especially in midfield. Did he only have 1 year in the french league? Hm, difficult!
5 Hadrian // May 9, 2008 at 14:45
he stood out at the acn , gemeri is like god in cameroon aswell so he could help bringing him in .
6 Leo // May 9, 2008 at 14:48
well if we cant get veloso this guy might be a good bet, if we can get him for 4mil then make him into a top player we will be sitting pretty
suprise suprise though, someone newcastle are interested, guess who is sneeking around, tottenham, i hate them with a passion
7 My wife died in 1970 // May 9, 2008 at 14:50
WHY DO SPURS ALWAYS GO AFTER THE SAME PLAYERS AS WE DO?
I’M FURIOUS!
8 JC // May 9, 2008 at 14:50
Ah man city could get into europe through the ‘Fifa Fair play’ clause or fulham could aswell aaaaaaaaaaaa.
9 Tom_Toon // May 9, 2008 at 14:52
Noot special.
10 Graeme // May 9, 2008 at 14:54
Could be a good signing in the long run. He looks versatile, no doubt Geremi will have his phone number to make sure he knows how good the toon are!!!!
11 beattie // May 9, 2008 at 14:57
Could turn out to be a good buy, although another player from Africa? we don’t want to lose half our squad, next ACON.
And i’ve noticed that in the gossip rags, we get linked with a player, and then lo and behold, tottenham are in there trying to seal the deal first (according to journos). Could this be a new transfer policy?
12 CRAIGG // May 9, 2008 at 14:57
I honestly dont believe that we are interested in these sort of players or have even looked at them. Players i think would be KKs choice would be the likes of Wright-Phillips, Dunne, Veloso, Ashton and McGeady then i belive it.
13 CRAIGG // May 9, 2008 at 15:00
I use the word God a lot when i refer to Geremi as well like
“God, Why is this guy taking every set piece”
“God, Me nan could run faster than him”
“God, when is Jimmy M coming back”
14 Ant // May 9, 2008 at 15:18
It could be worse Craigg, it could be Alan Smith!
If he’s back for the Everton game as a starter I will drink myself into a coma…
Or at least have a bloody good go!
15 James // May 9, 2008 at 15:29
Team I’d like to see for Everton game :
———————–HARPER—————
–BEYE——TAYLOR—–EDGAR—–ENRIQUE
—– DUFF— –BUTT—–FAYE——-NZOGBIA
————————–OWEN——————–
———————–MARTINS——————-
If Smith starts we will lose as we always do when he starts
16 CRAIGG // May 9, 2008 at 15:31
Ant I think i’d join you if Smith starts!
This is the match when we give some young lads a start Edgar, Carroll and Lua Lua would get a start for me with nowt riding on it.
———————Harper—————–
–Beye——Taylor—–Edgar——Enrique—
———Lua Lua—–Butt—–N’Zogbia——–
—————–Owen—Carroll—Martins——–
Also get Ramage on the pitch at the end for one last time, the same as Bobby did with Griffin a couple of years back to say farewell to the lad
17 ELFER // May 9, 2008 at 15:33
I think DIATTA will be given his first full debut and then we see really if he is somthing or not…I guess rather not, but let’s see!
———————Harper—————–
–Beye——Taylor—–Diatta——Enrique—
———Geremi—–Butt–Faye—–Duff——–
—————–Owen——Martins——–
18 CRAIGG // May 9, 2008 at 15:37
I wish we were playing at home this weekend i wanted Steven Carr to do his lap of (Dis)honour and when he walked near me i could throw a D-Cup wonder bra at him, He has got a right pair of saggy chicken fillets on him, the fat knob
19 Oba // May 9, 2008 at 15:42
Would be good backup, if we sign another DM of course. Haven’t seen much of it tbf, but seems a more realistic signing, than Veloso.
20 James // May 9, 2008 at 15:42
Craigg - KK said yesterday no youngsters will be given a run out against Everton. He said he will pick the same bunch of players as he has done throughout the last 10 games
21 CRAIGG // May 9, 2008 at 15:53
James, Sorry your right i saw the interview, Im disapointed as Geremi and Smith are about as much use as a pair of Chocolate Teapots
22 Dondatta13 // May 9, 2008 at 16:03
UPDATE …
Hi, just saw this link … Apparently we have slapped down a 20 Million Euro offer on the table for Veloso. Im not sure how reliable this site is …
http://www.portugoal.net/Sporting0708/200805095NewcastleVelosoBid.htm
Id like him at SJP … and Van der Vaart also
23 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 16:54
we should give the full hog for him, he is one of the best youngsters in the world
24 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 16:55
i mean veloso in my previous comment
25 John // May 9, 2008 at 16:58
lads lets not get ahead of oursevles like we did with Modric…Ok we made an offer but look at who else is interested …
Dont get your hopes up until he’s sitting next to king kev in the press room
26 SPyro // May 9, 2008 at 16:59
Spurs set to outbid us for McGeady
27 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 17:01
mcgeady is shite and weak, they can have him
28 John // May 9, 2008 at 17:04
we dont need mcgeady anyway…hes just another winger …We have enough in milner , zog and duff if we are going to start playing wingers next year ..
He’s not that good…Got some good skill , but jesus chrsit so do i..I’d look brillant in scotland
29 Tom_Toon // May 9, 2008 at 17:05
Cant say i rate McGeady from what i have seen.
Get someone from eastern europe like Bystrov.
30 Danish_Magpie // May 9, 2008 at 17:13
Tom_Toon: I have seen Husyev play, but where have you seen the rest play? I know them a bit from FM and stuff (which is often correct, I know) but still, isn’t the way I like to evaluate players.
As for this M’bia guy, I have not seen him play much as I don’t often watch French football, bar highlights. He might be worth checking out, but shouldn’t be a priority signing. I would like it, though, if we signed a good DM to play next season and let Nicky be our backup.. Veloso wouuld be just find, if possible.. Viana might give him a call and recomend us…(!)
31 JC // May 9, 2008 at 17:46
Anyone who is as fast as you say he is Tom Toon. Is worth a 5m punt. He (Bystrov) could add some much needed pace to our attack, which at the minute only has oba that can frighten defences with his pace. It was evident against Chelsea that when we broke oba was a lonely figure running at their defence plus he could be the exciting player that everyone is dying to see on tyneside.
32 Dondatta13 // May 9, 2008 at 17:51
Van der Vaart is THE flair player I want to see on Tyneside
33 JC // May 9, 2008 at 17:57
But Dondatta13 do you not think that Bystrov is a more realistic target I mean Chelsea Barca and a list of other clubs how can offer european football want Van Der Vaart. But don’t get me wrong I would give me right arm for him just can’t see it happening.
34 Tom_Toon // May 9, 2008 at 17:59
Bystrov isnt a flair player but he an exciting player. Bilayetadinov or Zhirkov are the flair players of Russia.
35 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 18:06
i want the excitement of having to translate the reports and rumours of a player signing, hopefully that will be veloso
36 Dondatta13 // May 9, 2008 at 18:14
JC, I respect your comments. I myself read alot of press regarding football transfers and transfer rumours. Van der Vaart’s name is very seldom mentioned in the coloum inches I read.
Please dont forget that this guy could have went to any club when he left Ajax … he choose Hamburg!
I just feel, VDV and KK would work wonders together along with our attack minded play. KK was and still is a legend at Hamburg. The EPL is a stage that many players wish to grace. KK could talk a nun out of her nickers lol
I say move fast, be ruthless in your persuit, pay the fee’s/wages … get the man!
This kid could be OUR Cantona. Thats got to be something thats worth an offer from our club.
37 Tom_Toon // May 9, 2008 at 18:23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwJ9Q_gkzjk&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=vladimir%20bystrov&ndsp=20&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iv
we’d never get VDV so its better not to make ourselves look mugs for trying and failing.
38 JC // May 9, 2008 at 18:35
Thats right forgot KK played for Hamburg, could have a chance but we need to move fast as you said. Thats why we didn’t get Modric because we took too long to decide to raise our offer.
Going back to what I was saying earlier I am frankly desperate to see a pacy winger that can make something from nothing its so frustating to watch us breaking because fast as oba is he is admittedly not the most skillful with the ball at his feet so I would love to see a Bystrov or Aaron Lennon (that can cross a ball) at the club.
Does anyone agree?
39 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 18:39
none of us know anything atm, all we know is that we have supposivley put in 20 million bucks in for a world class holding midfielder
40 JC // May 9, 2008 at 18:42
Geordie Gerrard7 whats your point??
41 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 18:44
http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=690078
REJECTED AGAIN
42 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 18:45
http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=338206
43 JC // May 9, 2008 at 18:52
Only way now is to GIVE the asking price NOW!!!!!!
44 Hamas (51times) // May 9, 2008 at 18:55
Even then he might just reject us and wait for Chelsea or Man Utd to come.
45 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 18:56
we need to hurry up and give them 20 million, its all come about in the past hour or so. great news if it was true
46 belfast toon // May 9, 2008 at 18:56
I am probably dreaming again but i’ve found this about berbatov
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/274768869sp?-11058
I know head in the clouds but can you imagine this guy with owen up front
47 nightfall // May 9, 2008 at 19:03
we have better chances getting players if we make 1 big signing ASAP…and if we really plan to bid for berbatov, we should do that…yesterday!!!
48 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 19:06
berbatov will not come for anything less than 30 mill, i would like veloso more as he is exactly what we need
49 gallowgate31 // May 9, 2008 at 19:22
Mbia can also slot in to the RB position, could be a great understudy for Beye ! he sounds like he could do a job within the squad and he would have a really easy chant !
Mbia my lord………. Mbia.
All the other players are sounding like good acquisitions, however it all depends on MA, lets hope Keegan’s words were just a statement to the “boss”. It sounds like he might have made a point known to Ashley.
50 JC // May 9, 2008 at 19:52
Tom Toon F##k that boy can move!!
51 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 9, 2008 at 19:57
cannot wait to see what unfolds now
52 robertsa // May 9, 2008 at 21:45
my perfect toon midfield is
makoun
milner mcgeady
baptista
53 Dondatta13 // May 10, 2008 at 12:57
Tom_Toon. A few points I noticed about your man Vladimir Bystrov.
1) Looks a tad lightweight.
2) Seems to hit the floor an aweful lot.
3) He doesnt CROSS the ball, he tends to cut inside and then PASS (Dont think he crossed one ball in the whole of that video).
4) Has pace but not in abundance. Alot of that video was speeded up anyways while they were editing it and putting it together, so its hard to gauge really how fast he is. Benny Hill wasnt as fast in real life lol
5) Looks a wee bit like Glen Roeder lol
Thats my own obervations based on the youtube video you posted a link to.
On another point. I think pace was the desired attribute of Bobby Robson. He LOVED it in his players. I think KK LOVES skill and panache in his players. (Again just my views)
I think our team is screaming out for a creative midfielder … Someone to unlock opposition teams, because I dont think we have that type of player at our club.
54 Tom_Toon // May 10, 2008 at 18:28
Thats why you cant judge a player on a yotube video, because you got it all wrong!
55 Dondatta13 // May 11, 2008 at 0:11
Tom_Toon and thats your idea of a debate? “I got it all wrong” lol Ummmm ok. You posted a link to show how good this guy is and then when I comment on some quite obvious observations. You retort with “Thats why you cant judge a player by youtube” lol So why post the you tube link? Meh???
56 Tom_Toon // May 11, 2008 at 0:21
I dont want a debate. The vid was to basically to show people who i am actually on about.
But if you want, ill pick you up on your points.
1. Hes no more lightweight than Lennon etc. Hes is actaully less lightweight as he can play RB and fights for balls and tracks back a fair bit.
2. Yes, he hits the floor a lot, but thats because hes so fast the defenders must fould him.
3. Yes he prefers to cut in but he can cross well and does so still quite frequently. However he does it to a high standard so its effective.
4. He does have pace in abundance he is considered one of the fastest players in europe.
That clip even showed part of it. The game against Bayern Munich where he turns Lahm and beat Hargreaves (a very fast player) while dribbling the ball and not losing control.
5. Yes he does.
More on the thinking of his suggestion:
Hes still young (just truned 24), better than the right wingers we have been linked too (Lennon, Pennant etc.), would be available on the cheap (roughly 5 mil) and wont have extortionate wages.
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