Newcastle United Transfer News: Douglas £5 Million Deal Agreed

Newcastle United have agreed a £5 million transfer fee with FC Twente for their imposing 6€™4€ center-back Douglas, according to The Daily Express today. The Magpies' managing director Derek Llambias traveled to Holland on Friday to reportedly enter advanced negotiations with Twente for their 21-year-old striker Luuk de Jong, but we did report that the Toon's interest in Douglas hadn't diminished and his falling out this week with the Twente boss Steve McClaren would likely improve Newcastle's chances of securing the deal. 24-year-old Brazil born Douglas Franco Teixeira is generally thought to be one of the top two defenders in the Eridivise, alongside Ajax's Jan Vertonghen who Alan Pardew also had interest in before Spurs looked certain to land him (though coincidentally that move seems to have broken down too). Douglas has one-year left to run on his contract and has no intention of extending which has alerted the rest of Europe to his availability and he has been linked with a move to Spain or England all summer. Talk of Newcastle's interest died down slightly with the bids for three other areas of the squad (Lille right-back Debuchy, Twente striker Luuk De Jong and midfielder Vurnon Anita) but after Douglas failed to turn up for pre-season training this week, Newcastle have seen an opportunity to rush through a deal under the noses of other suitors. Surprisingly given his growing stature in football, Brazil have yet to call up Douglas to the national side and now that he has recently gained Dutch citizenship, he could be brought into Holland's World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign as early as September. Alan Pardew believes he needs another proven central defender alongside Fabricio Coloccini next season as Steven Taylor is too often injury prone to last a full campaign and third choice Mike Williamson often struggled when he was given a long run in the team. Pardew hinted in interviews at the end of the last campaign that he wanted another centre-half to be an imposing figure at the back and help chip in with some goals at the other end. Douglas scored 15 goals in 184 games at his time at Twente since joining in 2007 and Pardew will be hoping to get a few goals out of him next term, along with his obvious defensive talents. Meanwhile, Newcastle's pursuit of Luuk de Jong is ongoing with FC Twente reportedly insistent on a fee of at least £14.5 million for the striker. Newcastle have made two offers for the layer, the last being £10 million and we figured (and perhaps still do) that a deal in the £12 million range would secure the move but Twente know how desperate Pardew is to land the striker that he can squeeze a few more million out of him. Newcastle return to pre-season in Benton on Thursday and would love to unveil at least one signing from FC Twente for the fans.