Thursday, 25th August, 2011
Newcastle United appear to be edging closer towards snapping up Dutch left back Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew has been running the rule over Lyon full back Aly Cissokho, in addition to Pieters, as he searches for a replacement for Jose Enrique, sold earlier this month to Liverpool.
Yet despite Cissokho being keen on a move to St. James’ Park and Lyon being willing to sell, Newcastle have deemed the Frenchman the more expensive, and thus secondary, option at some €8M.
And this is causing Pardew to intensify his efforts to sign Pieters from PSV.
While no fee has been agreed with PSV and there remains much negotiation ahead, Newcastle are confident of getting their man before the transfer window closes on 31st August.
Pieters too is keen for a deal to be done with Pardew’s side as the 23-year-old believes a switch to the Premier League would represent an important step forward for his career.
With no Champions League football at the Philips Stadion this season and PSV having already sold Balazs Dzsudzsak to attempt to plug the gap caused by the subsequent loss of income, the additional sale of Pieters will give the Eredivisie side greater breathing space.
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