Newcastle United Transfer News: £4 Million Douglas Bid Made

Newcastle United have made an official bid for FC Twente's Brazilian born defender Douglas and are awaiting to hear whether it has been accepted. According to widespread media reports, The Magpies have tabled a £4 million bid for the defender who is considered the best centre-half in the Dutch league, especially now Jan Vertonghen has moved from Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being unsettled at the club and only having 12 months left to run on his contract, Twente are expected to reject the offer as they place a much higher valuation on the player who has no intention of committing his future to Steve McClaren's side. Newcastle have discussed a possible transfer for Douglas with Twente earlier in the summer, around the same time they attempted to snatch star striker Luuk de Jong from the club. It is believed that their interest had been relaxed as Douglas wishes to stay in Holland for another month (late August is being claimed, just after the start of the new season) to make sure he is eligible to represent Holland as his adopted country after being granted residence there. Despite being so impressive in the Dutch league, he has been continuously overlooked for the Brazilian national side and Douglas' only option for international football looks to be Holland where he could yet force his way into the World Cup 2014 qualifying contention. Former England manager McClaren is resigned to Douglas' exit but wishes to recoup as much money as possible. He is hoping for a bidding war with West Ham and Fulham also reportedly interested in the defender and a number of clubs across Europe. Meanwhile Newcastle are still in pursuit of Lille right-back Mathieu Debuchy and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll but have yet to agree deals with eye club. source - teamtalk