Aston Villa "Bid £12.6m" For Newcastle Target

Aston Villa are hoping to pip Newcastle United to the signing of Bordeaux forward Diego Rolan after reportedly offering £12.6 million for the Uruguayan. Uruguayan publication Republica claim that the Magpies saw a £9.1 million bid rebuffed last month and have now seen their offer superseded by their Premier League rivals. Tim Sherwood is believed to be targeting Rolan as one of two strikers he intends to bring in to replace Christian Benteke, who has signed for Liverpool in a £32.5 million deal.

Newcastle, meanwhile, see the 22-year-old as a versatile option to play either through the middle or out wide - and Stoke City also have an interest in the forward. Interestingly, TalkSport claimed earlier this month that the Magpies had seen a £13 million - plus Remy Cabella on loan - offer for the Uruguay international rebuffed because Bordeax are determined not to lose their star player this summer. The 22-year-old, who is also being tracked by Sevilla, Malaga and Stoke City, is believed to be keen to move to England, however, and he is seen by the Magpies as being an ideal second striker. Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic having already arrived from Anderlecht in a £12.3 million deal, the club also want another forward Although Newcastle have expanded their horizons recently, the French market remains chief scout Graham Carr€™s favourite hunting ground - and Bordeaux forward Rolan has certainly pricked his interest. The six-cap Uruguay international, who has scored one goal to date for his country and played at the 2015 Copa America this summer, moved to France from Defensor Sporting in 2013 after an impressive South American Youth Championship and he has continued to improve at Bordeaux. A return of 17 goals from 61 league games is decent, while the 22-year-old also has the pace to operate as a wide forward or even as a winger. Incredibly, 15 of those 17 strikes came during the 2014-15 season - so it seems Rolan has really kicked on in recent months. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.