Quote of the day

"Sunderland also wanted me but I chose Newcastle because they really wanted me and they play wonderful football."

If Vurnon Anita's passing and tackling are as incisive as his ability to complement his new employers while simultaneously belittling our local rivals, he could be a very big hit indeed.

'Non merci!

At last! Our first major transfer signing of the summer, and it's only midway through August... Contrary to expectations, the new arrival isn't Mathieu Debuchy but Dutch international Vurnon Anita, prised away from Ajax for a fee of nearly £7m.

Anita can provide cover in both full-back positions, but in negotiations with the Silver Fox he made it clear where he would prefer to be deployed: "They know that I want to play in a defensive midfield place and that's why they brought me here". With Mr T (like Dreamboat) reportedly facing a race against time to be fit, Anita could make his debut in the Ivorian's position against Spurs on Saturday - and of course the assurances he seems to have got from the Silver Fox suggest that he might well have been signed to replace our talismanic midfielder more permanently.

Selling Mr T for a whopping fee having brought in a cheaper, younger replacement would fit our business model perfectly, but we're under no pressure or obligation to offload him and I'd hope we don't rush into anything - not least because a deal might end up strengthening our rivals.