http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vurnon-Anita-c36486 is another player that has been on Newcastle’s radar this summer, and has expressed an interest in playing for them.
The Magpies have been surprisingly active in the transfer market this season. Having already signed Frenchman Romain Amalfitano, the club is also linked to popular and up-and-coming players such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luuk-de-Jong-c22956.
Anita started out playing for amateur Dutch side VV Maarssen. He was then scouted by Ajax and joined their youth program in 1999. Anita became a first team regular in the 2009-2010 season under Martin Jol and played primarily as a left back.
When Jol left the club in 2010, Anita was deployed as a defensive midfielder under new coach Frank de Boer. Anita put in some solid performances at his new position and established himself as the first choice defensive midfielder in the centre of Ajax’s
midfield. He made 33 appearances for Ajax last season and helped his side to the 2011/2012 Eredivisie title.
On the 10th of June, Harry Lulofs, the player’s representative revealed that Newcastle had put in a bid for the Dutch midfielder. He also stated that Norwich City had expressed their interest in the player when manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-c29347 Lambert was still with
the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Canaries-c38723.
Speaking to a magazine, Lulofs said: “Ajax are very satisfied with the guy [Anita] and want to keep him, but Newcastle have been watching him for a long time and really want to sign him."
"This is the first offer Ajax have received for Vurnon and we'll soon see how they react."
"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. I don't know."
However, Ajax’s technical director Wim Jonk has stressed his desire to keep hold of the midfielder’s services and stated that the Dutch club has no intention of letting go of Anita unless of course Newcastle were to approach them with an improved offer.
According to Lulofs, the Magpies had put in a bid of €5 million for Anita earlier in June, but this had been rejected by Ajax, who value him at a price much higher than that.
Anita however has revealed his interest in playing for the Premier League side earlier this week, and despite being under contract with the club till 2014, he still hopes for a move to Newcastle.
Speaking to the club’s magazine, he had this to say:
"Newcastle are a beautiful club. I'm open to anything. We'll see what happens, but there's nothing wrong with listening to Ajax and what interested clubs have to say."
"I will seriously consider anything that comes up. Does it matter to me that Newcastle are not in the Champions League? No."
"However, I'm an Ajax player for now. I'm focusing on Ajax. Newcastle's interest has made me think about a potential transfer, though. It's a sign that I'm on the right track and have to keep this up. I haven't set a deadline for when I want clarity. I'll just
see how this pans out."
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