Newcastle Boss Alan Pardew Watches Ajax's Jan Vertonghen?

By Matt Holmes / April 16, 2012

Without a game for his club this weekend, Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew was in Amsterdam yesterday and attended the Dutch league match between Ajax and De Graafschap. The Evening Chronicle reports that he was scouting for a new defender in the hopes to add to the weakest area of United's squad in the summer with Belgium international center-back Jan Vertonghen the main subject of his visit. Vertonghen, a superstar of the Dutch league, turns 25 next week and has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to be a huge fan of the player who is rated by Ajax at £10 million and the Chronicle believe it is a sign of intent from the Magpies that they believe they can compete with Europe's top clubs for players. Vertonghen, who looks certain to leave Ajax in the summer, recently told press;

€œI have instructed my agent carefully. He knows which clubs I want to join and Arsenal are one of them.€

The Chronicle also suggest that Pardew could have been looking over Jan's defensive partner Toby Alderweireld, a fellow Belgium international who might be a more realistic transfer target. He came through the youth system at Ajax and has played over 79 times for his club, scoring six goals. He stands at 6 ft 1 inches and has been called up by his country 16 times. United currently only have three central defenders in captain Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor (who has been injured since November) and Mike Williamson. This will be an area Newcastle are expected to strengthen in the summer. Chief scout Graham Carr has an incredible record for bringing talent to the club but it is Alan Pardew who usually has the final word on transfer dealings and his attendance at the game is usually an important sign on how serious United are about making a move. Of course Pardew might just have been enjoying his weekend off! Ajax won yesterday's game 3-1 and are now six points at the top of the Eredivisie. Potential Champions League opponents for Newcastle?