Newcastle United have seemingly failed to secure a move for their number one summer transfer target after FC Twente reportedly held firm on their £16 million valuation for their 21-year-old striker Luuk de Jong.

Last week, Newcastle made what reportedly was a final offer believed to be in the range of £10 million for de Jong, figuring that Twente chairman Joop Munsterman would come down on his £16 million valuation and a deal would be agreed in the £12.5 million range for their want-a-way forward. News went quiet on Newcastle’s offer but soon after the bid was made it became apparent that German side Borussia Monchengladbach had a bid in the £12.5 million range accepted for de Jong and that negotiations with the player were well underway on personal terms.

The latest comments from FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong confirms he has held talks with Borussia Monchengladbach this week but has become frustrated that Twente have decided to block the move at the final hour;

“I fell off my chair when I heard Joop Munsterman (Twente Chairman). That amount (£16m) is in complete contradiction with the conversation that took place this week between Twente and Borussia Monchengladbach, and with my father George and agent Louis Laros.

“I was amazed to hear this. FC Twente, my agent Louis Laros and Borussia Monchengladbach indicated that a transfer fee of €12m (£9.6m) plus €2m (£1.6m) in bonuses, would do, if I agreed with FC Twente to drop my contracted right to 20 per cent of the transfer fee.

“I have already indicated that I will drop my claim to 20% of the transfer fee, if a move to Borussia Monchengladbach is possible. I am not concerned just about the money. But for FC Twente, this is no longer sufficient for them to agree to a transfer.

“The president said that players should get a fair chance, but the reality is different. I had heard from other players that the board of Twente negotiates in an indecent manner, and I never believed it. Now, unfortunately I have experienced this myself.

“Gladbach will be a new level for me and it’s where I want to develop further, in view of the Dutch national team. All my competitors for the striker position in Oranje play in foreign clubs in strong leagues.”

De Jong’s latest comments don’t mention Newcastle United at all, indicating that the Geordies are out of the race to sign the striker and boss Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr will now need to look elsewhere to fill their void for another forward.

What is clear is that de Jong is desperate to leave Twente in order to help boosts his European profile and earn a regular place in new Dutch boss Louis Van Gaal’s team as Holland attempt to qualify for the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil… putting their Euro 2012 nightmares firmly behind them.

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