Newcastle have agreed a fee with Ajax for long term target Vurnon Anita - according to reports in Holland.
Anita, 23, has been keen to leave the Amsterdam Arena this summer after thirteen years with the club, despite being offered a lucrative new contract to stay.
Speaking earlier this month new sporting director Marc Overmars admitted they did not wish to lose the versatile defender, telling De Telegraaf: "Vurnon is very important for the team and we do not want to lose him."
However, speaking on Sunday, manager Frank De Boer confirmed that a deal with the Magpies was close.
"Anita is close to an agreement with Newcastle," De Boer told the league's official website.
The player himself told reporters: "The clubs have a deal, I think €8.5m. Now I have to reach an agreement with Newcastle. I have an offer, but I cant say more about this.
"The clubs have agreed a fee, but I have not. I'm still an Ajax player. I think it will be finished soon, but you never know how it will go. I have played for Ajax for 13 years, it has been a great time and I am grateful to Ajax."
Anita added to Voetbal International that he is still thinking about where his future lies: "Now it's up to me. But first I want to talk with the manager of Newcastle United before taking a decision. The whole picture has to be right for me."
The potential signing represents a breakthrough for Alan Pardew - with the former Southampton manager urging fans to remain patient earlier this week.
Anita, who can play in midfield or at left-back will provide much needed depth and versatility to a Newcastle side that is aiming to compete on four fronts this season.
It remains to be seen whether Anita's team-mate, Gregory Van Der Wiel will also join Newcastle, having been heavily linked in recent weeks.
