Newcastle fans will love what Louis van Gaal told Sean Steur as transfer 'finalised'

Newcastle United fans will love to hear that Louis van Gaal has backed Sean Steur to succeed as he nears a move to St James' Park.

New reports have claimed that Newcastle are closing in on a move for 18-year-old Ajax midfielder Steur.

He emerged onto the first team scene last season to make 25 appearances after working his way through their youth ranks.

Steur is reportedly set to sign a five-year contract at St James' Park after finalising a move for an initial £19.6million.

He has previously revealed that legendary former Ajax manager Van Gaal sung his praises and insisted that he would have been a key part of his team if he were was still in charge.

Newcastle supporters will not know much about Steur as it stands, so praise from such a notable figure should fill them with optimism going forward.

What did Louis van Gaal tell Sean Steur last year?

Steur is set to arrive in Newcastle soon as he awaits the green light from Ajax to go ahead with a medical.

Eddie Howe has prioritised a new midfield signing after Sandro Tonali's departure to Tottenham for around £100m.

Steur is only 18, but looks set to play a key role in Howe's side, especially without European football on Tyneside next season.

Van Gaal made it clear that he felt the youngster was ready for first-team football last January, as he used his advisory role at Ajax to stop him joining Volendam on loan and later praised Steur in a private one-on-one chat.

Speaking to Voetbal International last year, Steur said: "It really was very close to happening, that I would be loaned out, but fortunately for me, things have worked out well this way.

"It was indeed quite special. He (Van Gaal) was at a training session during pre-season and afterwards we had a little chat. During that, he said: ‘You’d always play under me.’ I thought that was a lovely compliment, coming, of course, from such a big name in football.

“It also gave me a huge boost of motivation at the time – the feeling that there was trust in me. That’s why I was able to switch gears so quickly back then."

Steur's Eredivisie stats analysed ahead of Newcastle switch

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Newcastle are set for a big signing spree this summer, with Steur soon set to join Bazoumana Toure as their latest arrivals.

The 18-year-old registered one goal and assist each in 19 Eredivisie matches last season, as he started 14 times and featured for 1135 minutes.

He ended the season with an impressive 89.7 per cent pass accuracy, while he also created 1.19 chances per 90 minutes.

Steur won 56.8 per cent of his attempted duels and was only dispossessed six times all season, while he also only committed six fouls.