Borussia set to hand Newcastle double disappointment

Borussia are set to hand Newcastle United a double disappointment by beating the Magpies to the signatures of both Luuk de Jong and Junior Hoilett.

Newcastle United’s interest in Dutch striker Luuk de Jong has been widely reported this summer, but Newcastle’s rumoured bid of around £12 million was still four million short of FC Twente’s valuation of £16m for the 21-year-old according to the tabloids.

However, this all now appears to be irrelevant as de Jong himself has come out and said that he is dreaming of a move to Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach.

Luuk de Jong told German newspaper Bild “I have spoken to [Gladbach coach Lucien] Favre several times. We talked about how he wanted me to play. I’m sure the way he wants to play fits perfectly with the fast pace that suits me.”

Luuk continued: “I’ve told Twente that I only want to go to Gladbach. Borussia are playing in the qualifying round of the Champions League and I want to take the next step in my career. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe. To make the next step with the national team I need to go there.”

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While I’m sure a move to the Premier League would help the Dutchman to achieve the next step in his career, Newcastle can’t offer the youngster Champions League football right now.

With Gladbach set to seal that transfer in the coming days, they are also favourites to add another player on Newcastle’s shopping list to their ranks: Junior Hoilett.

Hoilett is out of contract following Blackburn Rovers’ relegation from the Premier League and is after a move to a bigger club.

However, with that desire for a move is also a desire for bigger wages, something that the Newcastle hierarchy are reportedly not willing to pay.

The 22-year-old again has the draw of Champions League football at Gladbach, in addition to the fact that he’s played German football before whilst on loan, he can speak German and his brother plays in Germany right now.

So, Newcastle are set to miss out on Luuk de Jong and Junior Hoilett as the Magpies loss is Borussia Monchengladbach’s gain, but who will Alan Pardew turn to next?

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And now for something different – a video tribute to the departing Peter Lovenkrands…