OPINION
Newcastle United are stuck in a proverbial no-man’s land at the moment.
With a takeover bid that is slowly beginning to resemble a dreadful rom-com, with all the will-they-won’t-they speculation, and with Rafa Benitez still yet to pen a new deal on Tyneside, the club are stuck in a worrying limbo that shows no sign of letting up any time soon.
Just as frustrating as the current ownership situation, however, is the lack of movement in the transfer market.
With uncertainty reigning over St. James’ Park, this could prove to be a very long and very arduous summer for the Toon Army.
Which makes the latest reveal from Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan all the more bemusing.
The reliable journalist has claimed that the Magpies are one of a host of Premier League clubs scouting Ajax starlet Donny van de Beek.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “If I had to put my money on a player leaving [Ajax], it would be Donny van de Beek.
“He is a perfect backup for many clubs. He is not the No 1 for most clubs – I have seen scouts from Tottenham, Man United, Everton, Liverpool and Newcastle at Ajax Amsterdam Arena watching him a number of times.”
This is something of a revelation. Given Mike Ashley’s propensity for stinginess, the prospect of Newcastle scouting a Champions League semi-finalist courted by a host of top clubs is something fairly novel, and almost unbelievable.
But van der Kraan is a reputable source, and if he says the Geordies are watching van de Beek, you can pretty much take it as fact.
If, and it’s big if, United could pull this one off, their supporters would surely be in dreamland.
Van de Beek is a massive step up on anything they currently have in their midfield, and would represent real progress for the Toon Army.
