VIDEO: Will this be Newcastle’s TENTH Summer Signing?
Newcastle have been linked with Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk over the past few days.
The 23 year old is a man mountain at 6ft 4in and only moved to Celtic last year after rising to prominence in the Dutch league at Groningen where he played 67 times and scored 7 goals.
It is believed that Newcastle are looking for one more central-defender in their squad at the expense of last-season regular, Mike Williamson. Williamson was undoubtedly one of the club’s best performers last season, but Pardew believes that the club, in order to get to the next level, need to recruit in that area.
It is believed that the club have already lodged a bid in the region of £5m, but Celtic are holding out for £8m. His fate could very well be sealed by the successes of the Scottish Champions in the upcoming Champions League qualifiers. The club drew away to Slovenian club, Maribor, last night, and face a return leg next week.
If the Scottish giants fail to qualify, then he may well look to England to play his football. Having missed out on the Netherlands World Cup squad selection, it would be within Van Dijk’s best interests to get some experience in a more competitive league. He isn’t currently getting that in Scotland, in spite of what manager Ronny Deila insists, so a move to the Premier League could come sooner than later.
Here’s the lad in action:
The Spectator's View 
Newcastle are third rate for such an accomplished defender so why would he want to go there, This story has no legs as he will find an very much better club after the Champions League adventure the Scottish Giants Glasgow Celtic are competing in!
I keep reading this garbage about Van Dijk going to Newcastle? First of all, he is a real top quality player but the player himself stated last week that he wants to play in the Champions League…………….if Celtic get through against NK Maribor on Tuesday he is staying at Celtic. However, if he plays as well as he did last term he will go next year for around £15m to a club, probably in England and certainly a club who will be playing in the Champions League. I read some comments earlier on another website from Newcastle fans who were not amused at the comments from the Celtic manager, basically he is saying that VAn DIjk should stay and continue to learn and develop and he will get a big move ( a club better than Newcastle playing in the CHampion League) HE is right of course !!
He cant be that good as they had to cheat there way back into the Champions league ..Celtic are a rubbish club in a Rubbish league with Rubbish players with Rubbish fans with no Identity