Newcastle are close to signing Ajax's Vurnon Anita

MAGPIES CLOSE IN ON DUTCH STAR

Vurnon Anita is close to completing a move to Newcastle United after the player confirmed a deal has been agreed with Ajax.

The Dutch club have reluctantly accepted the Magpies offer for the 23-year-old left-sided player who can operate in defence or midfield.

The Holland international has been one of Alan Pardew’s transfer targets for much of the summer but Ajax have been determined to keep the player.

Anita told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “The clubs have worked out a deal. Newcastle will pay a fixed fee of 8.5million and bonuses.”

Ajax offered Anita improved terms in an effort to keep him but the player admitted: “The wage I had in mind was above the new salary ceiling.”

RODWELL IN SURPRISE CITY SWITCH

Premier League champions Manchester City have signed midfielder Jack Rodwell from Everton on a five-year deal.

The 21-year-old has joined for a fee of £12m, which could rise to £17m, and completed a medical yesterday before agreeing to become Roberto Mancini’s first signing of the summer.

“Man City are a massive club, the league champions, so it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a dream come true,” said Rodwell.

“It will be an amazing experience to make my debut in front of them [Manchester City supporters] if I am selected to play next weekend,”

KEAN ON BORROWED TIME

On yet another dark day for Blackburn Rovers, the club have hinted before the season even starts that manager Steve Kean is on borrowed time.

Relegated to the Championship in May, Rovers head to Ipswich at the weekend with Kean already in the firing line.

Director of football Shebby Singh said: “If, after three games, we have dropped nine points, then we’ll only have a 50% chance of getting promoted.

“I was possibly one of the worst critics [of Kean] last season. I’m sure the manager didn’t like me much, but I say it as it is.”

After the trip to Ipswich there are home games against Hull and Leicester.

ON THE CONTINENT

Emanuele Pesoli of Serie B side Verona has gone on hunger strike in protest at his three-year match-fixing ban.

Mario Mandzukic scored six minutes into his Bayern Munich debut to set the Bavarians on the way to a 2-1 win over last season’s double winners Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on Sunday.

Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella is on the verge of agreeing a move to Fiorentina.

OTHER NEWS

Manchester City held off 10-man Chelsea to lift the Community Shield at Villa Park. Three goals in 12 second-half minutes by Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri ensured the Premier League champions won 3-2.

Joe Hart and Daniel Sturridge have pulled out of England’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Italy.

Cardiff City have confirmed the signing of Craig Bellamy, 33, who joins from Liverpool on a two-year deal.