Montpellier president Louis Nicollin has criticised Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for his decision to move to Newcastle United, claiming that the defender is "an ass".

The 23-year-old centre-back will reportedly fly to England on Tuesday for a medical to join Alan Pardew's side this week.

"If he's an ass, it's not my fault, but I think his manager has a lot to do with it," he told L'Équipe. "Newcastle really isn't a good choice. He'll get himself moved on next year, but it doesn't bother me.

"He agreed with my son (Laurent, Montpellier's delegated president) that he could leave if he found a club he liked.

"We're not going to cry. His head was no longer at Montpellier, but it's not a problem. He's not irreplaceable. The important thing is that we get some money in."

Newcastle will reportedly pay £6.7m to Montpellier for Yanga-Mbiwa.