Newcastle Miss Out On Top Defensive Target So Turn To Holland Once More

The Magpies are determined to go Dutch this summer

by Chris Waugh
Newcastle United are set to miss out on their top defensive target - which means they will return to Holland in an attempt to snap up their second signing from the Netherlands this summer. Schalke 04 centre-back Joel Matip wants to remain in the Bundesliga, which is a blow to the Magpies, but their attention will now switch to Ajax's Joel Veltman, according to The Chronicle. Newcastle will complete a £14.5 million deal for Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven on Saturday, adding the exciting attacking-midfielder to the already large Dutch presence in their squad.
The Magpies already have goalkeeper Tim Krul, right-back Daryl Janmaat, defensive-midfielder Vurnon Anita and playmaker Siem de Jong on their books - with Wijnaldum to follow, and Veltman potentially making it a six-strong Dutch contingent. On Friday, 23-year-old £10 million-rated Matip said:
"I am at home (at Schalke) and can imagine playing here for a long time. "I have one more year on my contract, which is for footballers always a long time - but I am confident that we can agree more."
Instead, Newcastle will set their sights on 23-year-old Dutch international Veltman, who has been attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs and Newcastle could both do battle for his signature this summer and, although Ajax hope to keep Veltman on their playing staff, a fee of between £8 million and £10 million could bring him to England. Capped four times by Holland, Veltman was part of Louis van Gaal€™s Dutch squad who finished in third place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The six-foot tall centre-back first broke into the Ajax first team during the 2012-13 season and he has made 61 appearances to date for the club, scoring five times. He has also claimed two Eredivisie titles and the fact that Steve McClaren has managed in Holland before means the Dutch market is one Graham Carr is scouting extensively this close season. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
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Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.