10 Centre-Backs Newcastle Must Sign Before The Start Of The Season

7. Virgil Van Dijk

Age: 24 Club: Celtic Nationality: Dutch Estimated Market Value: £10 million-£15 million League Apps (2014-15): 35 Earlier this year, Virgil Van Dijk was part of a North-East bidding war as Newcastle United and Sunderland both enquired about the defender's signature. Coming from the youth team of Groningen, he joined Celtic in 2013 and has developed at a rapid pace. In fact, Van Dijk was simply outstanding for Celtic last season and scored an amazing 10 goals in all competitions during his 58 games for the club. His goalscoring ability would be refreshing on Tyneside as the Magpies consistently struggle to make any sort of impact from set-pieces. Well, in all honesty their set-piece record is abysmal. The 24-year-old's defensive skills are equally as impressive; he is a strong, powerful and aggressive central-defender who, at 6ft 4in, has an aerial presence that would him tower above most strikers and defenders in the Premier League.