... Mike Ashley will sell Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – despite his brilliant form on loan at Roma - to finance the £5m pay-off for Alan Pardew!
The defender has turned in some excellent displays in Serie A and the Champions League after joining the Italian club on loan in the summer.
Yanga-Mbiwa to provide Pardew's pay off?
He put in a near-faultless display as Roma drew 1-1 with Manchester City at the Etihad last week ... something he has rarely done for Newcastle.
But his exit will bring in the £5m that under-pressure boss Alan Pardew wants before he leaves St James' Park.
Pardew still believes the France international is ill-suited to the Premier League - despite him being played out of position for most of his matches in black and white.
According to reports, United have decided to cash in, with a £5.5million deal already agreed with Roma, who have paid a further £1m loan fee in the summer.