If you believe a report in the Daily Mail, then Newcastle’s two major defensive targets in the summer are Erik Pieters and Douglas.
Douglas – 24 year-old Brazilian FC Twente center-back
PSV and Dutch International defender Pieters is 23, and has been pursued by Newcastle since last summer, and we put out a report yesterday where a Dutch journalist said that he thought it very likely that Pieters would end up on Tyneside in the summer.
24 year-old Douglas is the Brazilian 6’4″ defender who is at FC Twente, and looks a very solid defender in the no- nonsense category.
Douglas has played over 174 games for FC Twente in all competitions, with 12 goals, since joining the club from Brazilian club Joinville back in 2007.
And of course Twente are once again being managed by former England manager Steve McClaren.
Pieters could well arrive early in the summer transfer window, if Newcastle have already been in contact with his club PSV Eindhoven.
And Newcastle will want to get their new players in early in the summer, so they can go on the tour – the destination of which is yet to be announced by Newcastle.
We think Erik could cost between £5M and £6M, but Newcastle are usually able to do a good deal, but they reportedly unable to agree a fee last summer with his Dutch club.
Erik has 179 appearances in all competitions for PSV with two goals, and has represented Holland 14 times.
Douglas, who also has a Dutch passport, looks a good player, and has attracted interest from some big clubs, including Tottenham, Liverpool, Ajax and Bayern Munich, and he is rated at around £6M.
Newcastle could also bring in one or two top youngsters in the summer, and we have already been linked with 19 year-old FC Groningen center-back Virgil van Dijk, who is young but looks a very good player in the making.
Newcastle brought in a number of their signings last summer during June, and they will be hoping to see new players also arrive early this summer.
It would be great if Newcastle can sign Pieters, Douglas and van Dijk, and those three would certainly strengthen the Newcastle rearguard for next season.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Ibizatoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Comment #1If we replace Simmo and Willo, what will we have to complain about?
ArronNUFC
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Comment #2as long as we strengthen but don’t sell
blissna
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Comment #3Brilliant! What indeed? We need cover at the very least and I rate the players of the Dutch leagues. In Carr we trust.
Ibizatoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Comment #4Joking aside. Would be really happy with these 3 players. Would really straighten out our defence.
CB’s: Colo, Saylor, Douglas, Willo / Dijik.
FB’s: Pieters, Santon, Simmo, Raylor, Tav
Looks a lot healthier 🙂
martoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Comment #5Ibiza from last blog – any more of your cheek and I’ll suspend your membership of BLOBB 😉
I watched Douglas in the match Schalke vs Twente and he didn’t look too clever but Schalkes attack was pretty good.
Ibizatoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #6Martoon….Sorry mate, there’s only one man with such powers 🙂
Haven’t seen anything really of Douglas, heard good things though. Surely has to be better than Willo?
GeordieGesus
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Comment #7I take it we won’t be signing Pieters or Douglas then.
martoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #8Ibiza @ 6 Yes the man who’s name is only now whispered in dark corners but begins with B and ends with 5 🙂
By the way did I mention that I think the Toon will only play one striker against WBA……………..
jayphoto
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #9might be wrong, but i’m fairly sure Douglas’ contract is up in the summer and he can move for free….?
Also, think Pieters is a done deal, pretty sure they were negotiating that 1 in january, similar to how they did the cabaye deal!
NUFC 1892
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Comment #10________________KRUL
SANTOON SAYLOR COLO FERGUSON
RAYLOR TIOTE CABAYE HBA
__________CISSE BA
martoon
Mar 23, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #11NUFC 1892 @10. Is that your dream team or team against WBA? Because Raylor & Saylor are both injured and even Willo is better that Saylor on crutches 🙂
Rotonda heights
Mar 23, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Comment #12martoon
the jury’s out on that
Jan Stavik
Mar 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Comment #13I feel sorry for Williamsson lately, what happened to him? He was playing really well earlier this season, suddenly he’s totally out of form. I’ve been getting the awful Titus and Andy O’ feeling lately, trust me, it’s not a comfy one. Every time he’s on the ball he might commit a mistake!
toon-crazy
Mar 23, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Comment #14I thought Douglas was on a free , and also my team for west brom
Krul
Simpson. Willo. Colo. Santon
Toite
cabaye. Guity
Ben Arfa
BA. Cisse
Good team and formation , me thinks
Robby Bobson
Mar 23, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Comment #15You seee, it just shows Daily Mail just repeat stories from a few weeks ago, because if they were really ‘in the know’ they wouldnt claim Douglas can move for 6 million.
He can move for nothing.
theleckworthbird
Mar 23, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #16How about raiding the north east for future players… and why does Obertan look like he’s just dropped one in te banner pic.
Robby Bobson
Mar 23, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Comment #17@Jan Stavik
I think some people are harsh on him, but for defenders its easy to only recognise the mistakes. I don’t think we should get rid of him, but Saylor is way ahead of him in terms of quality.
Williamsons distribution always seems to end up with the opposition keeper, but he is the best winner of headers in our team.
geordiejamie89
Mar 24, 2012 at 1:40 AM
Comment #18That would be great news, those three would help Newcastle massively. It would be great if we could defend like we did at the start of the season, for the whole of next season. We’d still need to freshen the team up though, with perhaps a decent right midfielder, and at least one good striker. If Papiss and Demba are away on the African Cup of Nations, then Newcastle would have very little firepower. We might be able to pick some players up from the relagated teams too. I think this summer is either going to help Newcastle grow, or just end up being a statistic. The amount invested will be the amount we are rewarded.