There’s a report in the Scotsman today that Newcastle United are mulling over a move for 23 year-old Celtic 6’4″ center-back Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk – Newcastle to make move
Virgil was a Newcastle target before he moved last summer to Celtic from Groningen for £2.5M, but reports earlier this summer said Celtic’s price was about £8M for the promising young Dutch defender, who had a great first season at Celtic.
The Scotsman is reporting that Newcastle are now strong favorites to sign the Dutch defender, and that the Tyneside club are considering a deadline day swoop for the Dutchman.
Newcastle were linked with the highly rated player earlier this summer, and Newcastle have been weak in defense over the last two seasons, with the cover at center-back to Colo and Willo not particularly strong in terms of quality.
So it would seem to make sense to bring in a young center-back with the massive potential that Virgil has shown at Celtic.
The report is that Alan Pardew is a big fan of the £8m-rated player, and of course money is still available at Newcastle since we have spent only about £3M net on players this year – so far.
The player has already attracted a lot of interest this summer, and Swansea, Southampton, Tottenham and German club Hamburg are all said to be interested in the center-back.
The Scotsman is reporting Newcastle are now the strong favorites to sign him late in this transfer window.
Virgil has played 54 times with 7 goals for Celtic since signing on last summer.
Comments welcome.
Note: Paul Lawson is a NUFC season ticket holder living in Birmingham, and wonders if there are any other season ticket holders in the area, so they can share the car expenses to Newcastle – you can contact Paul at 07969296054.
You can follow us on our three social media sites below:
25 comments so far
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Comment #1TADS
We don’t have to sell we can take a hit rather than pay wages to certain players. Agree a mutual termination of contracts to Jonas and HBA. At the moment both players are picking up wages but won’t be utilised so it’s a waste….pay them off and take the hit we got enough money from the TV which would mean it more than covers the loss.
Laurent Robert 32
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2Good couple of posts on the last thread, Our Toon.
the truth will out
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Comment #3DONT BE ARSEHOLES ACT NOW
Lilongwe Geordie
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Comment #4Repost;
Our Toon,
Bad nights sleep mate, or just get out of the wrong side of the bed? 😉
I agree, we shouldn’t have to sell before we buy, but that is how the club now operates. We don’t have to accept it, but until anything changes then discussing splashing cash without selling is like saying we should be getting Messi or Ronaldo in. Not going to happen. As I said, we shouldn’t have to sell Tiote to bring in a centre half, but realistically he will go if we are to bring in any more players. I think a top class centre half is the only sensible option when spending that money.
On Balotelli, I agree, it is great seeing the world’s best players in the Prem, although it means less to me now as I only get to 1 or 2 games a year. However, I’d argue Falcao is a far better player than Balotelli, so if Liverfool are after one or the other as is being reported (or made up by journos, hard to know the difference at times), I’d much prefer to see Falcao in the Prem.
lesh
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:35 AM
Comment #5I’m puzzled why it should be a deadline day ‘swoop’. Surely Celtic won’t sell unless it’s for silly money – especially if they get through the ECL qualifier.
Presumably we’ll be waiting to see if they do in which case, van Dijk’ll be a no no.
Ethiotoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:35 AM
Comment #6Already spent the money from cabaye & Debuchy..
just keep spending bcoz right players are still available. Get Virgil, Get Grenier and Get Lacazatte or Wickham,….job done & we r over the moon
Graeme
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:40 AM
Comment #7Our Toon – that makes perfect sense, so probably in the “Far too difficult box” at SJP!!
Lilongwe Geordie
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:40 AM
Comment #8£8million seems pricey for someone who has played in two pretty poor standard leagues. I haven’t seen much of him, but if we decided to pass at £2.5million why on earth after a year playing in a rarely tested defence would we think he is worth £5.5million more? Something just doesn’t add up.
Anyone seen much of him to say he is worth this, or even good enough? Gary Caldwell was a mainstay in many a Celtic title winning defence when they had to actually compete in a few games a year against Rangers. He was very poor once he got to the Prem.
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #9LG
Haha yeah mate I went to bed in a bad mood and seems as though I’ve woken up in one. I just find it frustrating that over 50000 geordies sit back and accept the scenario we are in. I read from fellow posters that replace tiote with Grenier which to is completely bonkers mate.
I’d love to see Falcao in this league but he’s already turned Liverpool down hasn’t he?
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:45 AM
Comment #10What’s the hype with Connor Whickham as well he’s had a good 3 months out of 4 years. Stay well clear of shite like him for the scum
Ethiotoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Comment #11don’t know virgil, but must be better than s.Taylor.swapping the two if possible will be a good deal as well. but I feel he will go to scowchampton..
Mister Tuff
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:51 AM
Comment #12I see that the fully laden shopping bag wielder aka Mr. Poison Poster – aka bills -has wasted no time this morning getting in a sly dig at another poster – for posting a repost on the thread about the funeral this morning after another poster had suggested to keep the thread on topic.
Weasel gobs incredulity about posting another subject on this thread was only surpassed by his own hypocrisy in posting about another subject on that thread -what a weasel -using that thread to have a quick snipe at soeone else – when the real reason is probably that he does not agree with all the other poster says. What a hypocite.
toonincheek
Aug 21, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Comment #13lesh –
Celtic will need to keep van Dijk to make sure they make it through this round into the Group stages.
After that, it doesn’t really matter.
With or without him, they won’t make it out of the Group stage.
Same money, I think?
Mozambique Mag
Aug 21, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Comment #14Agree with you comments Ethiotoon – Ship Taylor up there on a part-ex and throw in the 2.5m we got off the foster deal. I think thats a fairly good deal… Well for us ; )
magfly
Aug 21, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Comment #15Don’t forget Celtic owes Newcastle cash off the Foster deal we don’t know exactly how much this is.
This means club doesn’t have to pay to much.
Dick_Biggs
Aug 21, 2014 at 10:40 AM
Comment #16This is an essential signing. Steven Taylor is a shocking excuse for a footballer and this lad would provide good competition for Williamson. With regards to Yanga Mbiwa, I don’t know what’s Pards has planned for him
paul6257
Aug 21, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Comment #17Stop mulling and sign him… We are desperate for a good young cb, Taylor is pants and colo hasn’t got much left in his legs…
switch365
Aug 21, 2014 at 12:58 PM
Comment #18A big unit who likes to get forward and has an excellent long-range pass, also enjoys scoring.
But we need a central defender who is primarily an excellent defender and imo Van Dijk isn’t.
He is very slow getting back, he leaves gaps behind him and often has to make last-ditch blocks to cover his mistakes.
The way he plays I believe would see us conceding a lot of penalties in the PL as quick strikers roll him inside the box.
Great news that we’re being linked with a cb, but there are certainly far better options out there.
dannitoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Comment #19Let’s realistically face it.. no one on here is better than Steven Taylor. (Except possibly me). Yeah he’s not top 7 premiership class buts he’s been loyal and always gives 100%. So let’s stop digging out our own FFS.
andyctoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:19 PM
Comment #20Only had one good season for celtic. At 8mill id defo take a risk but dont think hes the player to our needs just yet
Ericles
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:23 PM
Comment #21Go and get asap. He is needed more than ever by our defence. Much better bet than Richards. Go and get Ayew too – we need quality wingers to allow Obertan to be got rid of.
switch365
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Comment #22So lets keep players who are loyal, but how long do we keep them, till we’re in the Championship, 1st Division or further down the pyramid?
Willo is better than Saylor and he’s a Championship level defender.
If we want to improve we need better players, they don’t have to cost the earth, but those they replace need to be moved on.
andyctoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Comment #23Lets face it. No player is loyal when CL and MONEY comes knocking
dannitoon
Aug 21, 2014 at 1:42 PM
Comment #24Didn’t say keep loyal players.. said stop digging em out
nufc 11
Aug 22, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Comment #253 Words “John Alain Boumsong” the biggest robbery of the last 10 years can you imagine nufc paid Rangers 8million for him? I think they got him for 500k 6 months earlier it has scary similarities.