Xavier Mbuyamba Set for Summer Move as Volendam Name Price

FC Volendam are open to selling central defender Xavier Mbuyamba this summer for €500,000 after he rejected a new contract. The 23-year-old, who played for Chelsea and Barcelona before Volendam, is attracting interest from several clubs in the UK and Europe as his current deal enters its final year.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mbuyamba has refused to extend his contract with Volendam, prompting the club to place him on the transfer market for an affordable fee. Scottish side Rangers and Belgian club Gent are among the favorites to sign the Dutch defender, with English teams Watford and Southampton also prospecting his situation. Celtic and NEC Nijmegen have previously shown interest as well. Volendam see this summer as their last chance to receive some transfer money before his contract expires next year, especially after he played a key role in the club’s recent Eerste Divisie (Dutch second tier) title win and return to Eredivisie football. Mbuyamba has made 75 appearances for Volendam since joining in 2022 and is regarded for his height, power, and ball-playing ability.

MBUYAMBA’S PROFILE AND VOLENDAM’S SEASON

Mbuyamba spent formative years at Barcelona and Chelsea before establishing himself at Volendam, where he was made captain and embraced a leadership role. Standing at 6’5”, he is known as a goal-scoring central defender who can also play right-back. Volendam had recently celebrated promotion by winning the Eerste Divisie “at a canter,” and will compete in the Eredivisie again next season. The club is focused on survival after quick success in the lower division, while replacement funds from Mbuyamba’s sale could be used for strengthening the squad. Mbuyamba is also a Netherlands youth international, with 15 Eredivisie appearances and two goals last season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MBUYAMBA AND THE INTERESTED CLUBS?

With his low price and experience, Mbuyamba is expected to move before the transfer window closes. For Volendam, their opening Eredivisie match is scheduled for early August as they return to the top flight, with their immediate aim being to avoid relegation and maintain momentum. Potential buyers like Rangers are gearing up for UEFA Champions League qualifiers, while Watford and Southampton hope to win promotion to the Premier League from the Championship. Rangers finished second in last season’s Scottish Premiership and open their league campaign against Kilmarnock, while Gent finished in the fourth spot in Belgium and push for a higher finish. Any deal for Mbuyamba is likely to be completed soon, with several clubs wanting a boost to their defensive options before the new season begins.