Newcastle United are taking an extensive look at the Dutch Eredivisie right now and have joined Aston Villa in the pursuit of the league’s top scorer: Heerenveen striker Bas Dost.

22-year-old Dost has been on fire this season having 25 times in 30 league appearances, putting him four goals ahead of another forward Newcastle have been linked with: FC Twente’s Luuk de Jong.

The 6ft 5in striker is obviously a huge presence in the air and has an eye for goal, with a strike-rate of better than one in two, which is what his record is for The Netherlands U21, in his 18 months with Heerenveen to date.

When Heerenveen paid three million Euros for Bas Dost in the summer of 2010, he signed a five-year deal with the club, meaning the Dutchman still has three years left on his contract, putting his club in a strong position.

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Heerenveen manager and Holland legend Marco Van Basten understandably wants to keep hold of his £5m-rated star striker.

According to Mirror Football sources close to Van Basten confirmed: “He is planning to talk with Dost and his representatives and wants him to stay. He is already putting his squad together for next season and he will make it a priority to keep Dost.”

Dost himself though is flattered by interest him and when speaking to Voetbal Primeur about Villa taking a close look at him said: “It is positive news. You hear this and of course it is nice to know they are interested. Aston Villa is a club I don’t know very well, but they look good.”

He finally stated: “I have spoken with my agent and we won’t be discussing anything during the season.” At the end of the season Dost may well be on his way to the Euros, as although he is yet to feature for the Dutch national side, his form in domestic football is sure to be turning heads.

You’d have to hope that Newcastle would be a bigger draw than Aston Villa right now if Dost did decide to move to the Premier League. Here’s Bas Dost in action this season and if this video is anything to go by then the tall youngster sure does like a tap in…