By support

23rd Aug, 2016 | 1:33pm

Reliable journalist gives update on Newcastle pursuit of Champions League spearhead

By Will Butcher

Newcastle’s hopes of signing Wolfsburg hotshot Bas Dost are receding as he weighs up an offer from another club, according to a reliable journalist.

HITC Sport claimed on Monday that the Magpies had opened talks to sign the Holland international.

But the Evening Chronicle’s chief football writer Lee Ryder revealed on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday morning that Newcastle’s chances of signing the 27-year-old were slipping away.

A cut-price deal could be on offer, as the former Heerenveen striker has just 12 months remaining on his current Volkswagen Arena deal.

The goal machine has 125 professional goals to his name in 279 league and cup encounters, with 48 coming in a Wolfsburg shirt, and a further 13 in assists.

It’s not the first time that the Toon have been interested in Dost’s signature, as HITC Sport’s report states that Dost has been on Newcastle’s radar for the last two seasons.

Wolfsburg’s number 12 struggled to make an impact last term, making just 22 starts in league and cup encounters. The forward did manage to score 10 goals, with one strike coming in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven.

Dost’s rise to prominence came the season before, where he scored an impressive 20 goals in 36 appearances, adding another seven in assists.

The Magpies are close to making another attacking signing, as Brentford playmaker Alan Judge is expected on Tyneside soon to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

In other Newcastle transfer news, these two French flops are about to end their Newcastle nightmare by moving back to France.