Newcastle United are scouting Ajax's Joel Veltman as they continue their search for an international-class centre-back. The 23-year-old Dutch international has been attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, and The Chronicle are reporting that the Magpies have been scouting him as well. 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 in one Graham Carr is scouting extensively this close season. A move for Veltman is not believed to be imminent, but a 23-year-old Dutch international is certainly the sort of centre-back the Magpies should be targeting as they look to replace Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
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.
