Former Newcastle United youngster sold by Rafa Benitez set for surprise Premier League return

Former Newcastle United full-back Kevin Mbabu is in line for a return to the Premier League with newly-promoted Fulham.

Reports in Germany claim the Swiss international is currently in advanced talks with the West London outfit over a £5million move.

Mbabu, currently on the books at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, last played a Premier League game in 2015 after being offloaded by former boss Rafa Benitez.

The 27-year-old made his league debut under Steve McClaren in the same season (2014/15) but his progress was blighted by injuries.

Benitez did not view the full-back as part of his plans and loaned him to BSC Young Boys before he completed a permanent switch 12 months later.

Kevin Mbabu on Rafa Benitez

“I knew it wasn’t going to work with the new manager,” Mbabu told The Athletic.

“When I really understood it was going to be difficult for me was when Vurnon Anita got injured (against Crystal Palace in April 2016) and I was the only full-back on the bench. An assistant said, ‘He’s injured, you’re coming on’. Then Benitez said, ‘No’. Instead, Jonjo Shelvey came on and Moussa Sissoko played right-back.

“That really hurt me. I felt really sad and disappointed. If the coach decides, then you have to accept it but, as a young player, it was tough to take.”

Proving Newcastle United wrong

Newcastle fans have followed Mbabu’s career with a keen interest with his impressive debut against Chelsea at St James’ Park still fresh in the memory for some.

And next season, Mbabu could be back on Tyneside when Marco Silva’s Fulham make the trip to the North East on January 14.

“When I left Newcastle, I had it in my head that, ‘I’m going to prove them all wrong, to show them it was a mistake to let me go’,” Mbabu said.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do this whole time.”

Mbabu joined the Magpies from Swiss side Servette and went to make five appearances.