According to multiple sources including SkySports, Newcastle United have agreed a fee with Ajax for defensive utility man Vurnon Anita, potentially bringing a positive end to one of the club's extended transfer sagas of this summer after a relatively quiet time for the Magpies. Alan Pardew is said to have been chasing Anita, who can play in defensive midfield or at left-back, for a good deal of the summer, and that interest has now been shored up with a bid which has reportedly been accepted by his current club Ajax. Reports in Holland have suggested that the deal is around the 8million (£6.2million) mark, and the player will now head to Tyneside on Monday to undergo a medical ahead of the deal's completion. 23-year-old Anita, has been looking for a move away from Ajax for some time, having spent 13 years with the club, and has recently rejected the club's offer of a lucrative new contract due to his desire to test himself in the Premier League, where he has courted interest from both Newcastle and Sunderland this summer. Ajax's new sporting director Marc Overmars confirmed last month that his intention was to tie Anita down to a new deal, when speaking to De Telegraaf:
"Vurnon is very important for the team and we do not want to lose him."
But that message is in stark contrast to what Ajax boss Frank De Boer has said today as he confirmed to the league's official website that a deal with the Magpies was gathering pace, with personal terms now set to be thrashed out:
"Anita is close to an agreement with Newcastle."
Newcastle may have moved quickly after Cheick Tiote picked up an injury in Newcastle's embarrassing 4-1 loss to Cardiff in their final pre-season game yesterday, though it was understood that Derek Llambias and Lee Charnley were in Holland at the start of the weekend to push the deal through. That deal now looks all but completed, with the Dutch international coming in to offer cover and competition in midfield as well as at left-back. What do you think Newcastle fans? Are you happy to see a break-through in this summer's first-team transfer dealings? Will Anita make a good signing? Share your thoughts below...