Saturday, 24th March, 2012
Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has handed Arsenal and Newcastle encouragement over a summer chase for his signature by admitting he may not be at the Stade de la Mosson next season and is unlikely to sign a new contract.
The highly-rated 22-year-old has been instrumental in Montpellier’s unlikely Ligue 1 title push this season and was expected to stay into the 2012/13 campaign to lead the club’s future Champions League charge.
But that cannot be taken for granted, Yanga-Mbiwa has been keen to assert, with advancing his career the key thing to take into consideration – the Frenchman’s contract runs only until 2013.
"Playing in the Champions League with Montpellier, it would be magical, but let’s just say that I like to be independent", said the defender.
"I did not want to extend my contract because I thought that at some point I will need to leave to advance my career", he added.
Yanga-Mbiwa is known to have attracted attention from Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger is believed to rate the player’s talents, and Newcastle, who have operated an extensive scouting and recruitment policy in France over the last 18 months.
There has also been interest in the Frenchman from German giants Bayern Munich.
Yanga-Mbiwa is a graduate of Montpellier’s youth system and the Stade de la Mosson outfit will be reluctant to lose his services.
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