Joe Kinnear eyes move for Ebondo and Mbia
Jan 14 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
NEWCASTLE UNITED are weighing up a double swoop for French Championnat duo Albin Ebondo and Stéphane Mbia.
Sources in France have confirmed to the Chronicle that the pair, who are desperate to make the move to the Premier League, are being chased by the Magpies.
And United could sign the players on loan with a view to making the deals permanent at the end of the season.
Toon boss Joe Kinnear has revealed that an emergency meeting with board members was called last night after the injury crisis at St James’s Park deepened, with up to 13 players set to miss tonight’s FA Cup replay with Hull City.
United owner Mike Ashley pledged to work with Kinnear during the transfer window in his programme notes for the Liverpool game at the end of the year.
But, apart from arranging a trial for Peter Lovenkrands, the black-and-whites have yet to make any headway in the January transfer window.
Kinnear has since pleaded with the Toon tycoon to release funds in order to bolster his paper-thin squad.
He said last night: “We do need funds. It won’t be a massive amount, but I’m still hopeful Mike will release them.”
And in light of United’s massive injury list that includes stars like Joey Barton, Oba Martins and Habib Beye, sources in France have confirmed that United are looking closely at Ebondo and Mbia.
Cameroon international midfielder Mbia has already asked his club Rennes if he can quit the French League in order to make a move to the Premier League, and Everton are also keen on signing the player.
But Rennes aren’t keen on selling the 22-year-old, who started his career at the prestigious Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon which is also famous for producing Samuel Eto’o and Eric Djemba Djemba.
Mbia, believed to have two years left on his contract, is rated at £10m, but at 22 he fits into the transfer blueprint drawn up by Dennis Wise which is similar to that of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
Yaoundé-born Mbia claimed last August that Rennes had blocked bids from England.
He said: “There are clubs after me but Rennes did not want to let me go.
“Rennes are looking to improve my pay, but everyone knows I want to move to the Premier League to improve myself and play in the biggest league in the world.”
Meanwhile,Toulouse star Ebondo would give United some much-needed cover at right-back with Habib Beye expected to be out for up to 10 weeks after learning he won’t need an ankle operation.
When asked about the subject of transfers today Kinnear was keeping his cards close to his chest and said: “What I’ve got are options for the directors and board to look at.
“I’ve given them a list of players and loan fees, and the possibility of maybe buying one or two.
“At present it’s tight, but I’m waiting to hear whether one player moves.”
