Newcastle must accelerate Joao Palhinha hijack after new transfer setback
Newcastle must focus on completing a deal for Joao Palhinha ahead of Aston Villa after they were rejected by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Matthias Jaissle is set for a busy few weeks as he looks to make a strong start to life as Newcastle manager.
The German has set about identifying transfer targets for several positions as the Magpies aim to end on a high after a tough summer window.
Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have already been signed to bolster their midfield options, following the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle have held an interest in Marseille star Hojbjerg, but new reports have claimed that he has turned down a move to St James' Park.
Palhinha, 31, has also been linked to the Magpies, and so they must now make an approach to land his services ahead of PL rivals Villa.
Joao Palhinha is the number six Newcastle need after snub
Former Southampton and Spurs star Hojbjerg was identified as Newcastle's top midfield target over the last few days.
The 31-year-old held talks with the Magpies' hierarchy over the weekend, but talkSPORT have reported that Hojbjerg has now turned down the chance to join the club this summer.
Sources recently revealed to Football Insider that Newcastle hold an interest in Palhinha, but Villa are advancing in a move to sign him from Bayern Munich.
With the ex-Tottenham loanee clearly admired by Jaissle and the club's board, Newcastle must now accelerate a hijack of Villa's deal.
Their squad is crying out for an experienced player who naturally features in defensive midfield, especially with Joelinton also pushing to leave the club.
Palhinha impressed at Tottenham last season, as he was in the top four per cent for duels won per 90 and top two per cent for tackles per 90 among PL midfielders.
Newcastle should also be able to offer a better guarantee of game-time and a suitable wage to the Portuguese international to beat Villa to his signature, while the £20m fee should not stand in the way of a deal being completed.
Palhinha initially said that he wanted to stay at Tottenham
Palhinha delivered the goods for Spurs towards the back end of last season as he scored key winners in games against Wolves and Everton to help keep them in the Premier League.
He insinuated a desire to stay in North London after the end of the campaign, saying: "Since the first day I arrived I feel at home. From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here? I have everything here. But this is like a marriage.
"What I can say to you is I would really like to be here and I enjoy it a lot this season with this club – even with it being a tough season.”
With a Spurs return off the table, it seems likely that he is keen on a permanent move to the Premier League from Bayern this summer, and Newcastle must take advantage of his availability.