Newcastle Transfer News: Erik Pieters Photographed At St. James Park Ahead Of Move?

Long term Toon target Erik Pieters was photographed by Newcastle fans at yesterday's Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur at St. James' Park. You can see an image of Pieters alongside a Newcastle fan above. When a reader of the popular Newcastle United blog nufcblog.com asked Pieters if he was close to joining Newcastle from his club PSV Eindhoven, he cryptically said;

€œPossibly €“ I don€™t know.€

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew first revealed interest in Pieters last summer but a range of factors including; an inability to agree a fee with PSV, a slew of injuries and sadly the death of a family member all factored into scuppering a potential move to the Premier League from happening. The Magpies have been linked with interest in Pieters again this summer but a new injury, which is still keeping him sidelined, again played against a move from happening and from appearing at the Euro's. Of course just because Pieters was spotted at Newcastle yesterday does not necessarily mean that a move to St. James' Park is any closer to fruition. He is known to be good friends with Tim Krul, the Newcastle number 1 who has continuously urged Pieters to join Newcastle during time together in the Holland squad. Pieters has also previously linked up with new Newcastle signing Vurnon Anita and Spurs midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart and Amsterdam is a short visit for a day trip, but perhaps there is more to this? Pieters has played at both left back and centre-back for club and country and would added some much needed physical presence and European experience at the back. Yesterday's left-back Davide Santon still looked suspect defensively in Newcastle's 2-1 victory over Spurs (though he was great going forward) and as a Newcastle fan myself, the added option of slotting Pieters in there is tremendously exciting.