Newcastle to consider their options

Newcastle are refusing to become bogged down in transfer brinkmanship as they attempt to strengthen Alan Pardew's hand for the new season.

The Magpies are understood to have had a take-it-or-leave it bid for FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong rejected with varying reports on the continent suggesting their final offer amounted to anywhere between 12million and 14million Euros (£9.6million to £11.2million).

However, having received little encouragement from a club reluctant to sell in any case and holding out for, by manager Steve McClaren's own admission, "silly money", they are now considering alternative targets.

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