Newcastle United are being linked with Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita, but the Dutchman could well be Paul Lambert’s first signing at Aston Villa if his agent is to be believed.
Earlier this week Newcastle were credited with an interest in 23-year-old Vurnon Anita and momentum continues to gather around a summer move to Tyneside.
Fears that Anita could be a replacement for Cheick Tiote, himself a target for Chelsea, have been tempered by reports that he can play on either side of the defence and is particularly comfortable at left back.
Anita was largely employed in that position by Martin Jol and it was only the arrival of Frank de Boer in Amsterdam that saw him move further forward.
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Vurnon’s agent Harry Lulofs has been talking of Newcastle’s interest in Anita, but has been pretty vague about just how much the Magpies have bid.
Lulofs stated: “Newcastle have made an offer between £5m and £10m. This is the first offer Ajax have received for Vurnon and we’ll soon see how they react.”
While Newcastle may currently be the only club to make a bid for Anita, they are not the only Premier League team to be interested in the player.
Lulofs continued: “The only other Premier League club to get in touch was Norwich. Paul Lambert called me to ask about him. Now he has moved to Aston Villa, so maybe they will be in touch.’’
Lambert is clearly keen on the Dutchman and he would strengthen the Villa squad, but you’d hope that Newcastle would be the more attractive proposition for Anita.
Here are a few goals from Vurnon Anita for Ajax to give you an idea of what he’d bring to the Premier League…
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Villa fan here:
He seems like a quality player for either of us to get. There is no denying that Newcastle are clear favorites in current attractiveness. All you have to do is look at the table. And hopefully, he doesn’t watch any games of ours from last season! Anyways, he looks like a real player. I hope we get him, but no doubt if Villa only match your bid and wages he’d go there. Villa will have to offer something more. Best of luck, cheers.