Newcastle United Transfer News: Vurnon Anita Watched in Ajax
He is 5’6″ and has played three times for Holland, just missing out on the Dutch national squad for this summer's Euro 2012.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has travelled to Amsterdam a few times to watch Ajax in action and fresh reports in the Dutch media today claim a midfield target has caught their eye. It was believed Pardew had attended recent Newcastle games to watch central defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, and young striking sensation Luuk De Jong, however it seems Vurnon Anita has also impressed. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is highly thought of at Ajax having come through at a young age, playing for the senior club at the age of just 16 back in 2006. He is 56 and has played three times for Holland, just missing out on the Dutch national squad for this summer's Euro 2012 championships after being named in the provisional 27 man shortlist. Dutch media say that Newcastle's Chief Scout Graham Carr has signalled out Anita should a huge offer come in for midfield dynamo Cheick Tiote that seems him leave for pasture new in the summer. The Magpies owner Mike Ashley has claimed that it would take a colossal offer to tempt him into selling any of their prized assets in the summer.