Douglas
Douglas says five clubs are looking to sign him. Reuters

Alan Pardew's strengthening and re-building of the Newcastle United squad, ahead of the 2012/13 Premier League ran into a few roadblocks after Liverpool flatly rejected his loan bid for former striker Andy Carroll. Quotes made by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers indicated that while the club may consider a permanent deal, a loan, given the value of the player, was impossible.

Meanwhile, other players linked with a move to the Sports Direct Arena include French club Lille's 26 year old right back Mathieu Debuchy and, most recently, Dutch club FC Twente's Brazil-born centre back Douglas. An ESPN report suggests Newcastle have already lodged a bid, believed to be in the region of £4mn, for the 24 year old defender and are waiting to hear back from the club.

Incidentally, Douglas is the second FC Twente player the Magpies have expressed an interest in this summer. The other was the Dutch club's striker, Luuk de Jong, who has since confirmed a transfer to Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.

In any case, Douglas has reportedly been a Newcastle target for some time now. An earlier ESPN report quoted the player as confirming he wanted a move away from the Dutch league and Newcastle were actively involved in talks with him.

"I have spent five years [at Twente] and have done my best for the club. I have won the title, the cup - it's time for a next step. I want to go abroad as I have outgrown the league. I noticed this year that I am sometimes a little too easy going down, then you make mistakes. I want to be tested every week. Five clubs are interested and there's a bigger club than Newcastle. I cannot still say anything about it, but I hope soon to have my new club," Douglas was quoted as saying.

Incidentally, Douglas was reportedly also being monitored by Dutch champions Ajax, who were considering the player as replacement for Belgian Jan Vertonghen, who signed for Tottenham earlier this summer.

Finally, Newcastle have also been linked with Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita. The 23 year old has been spoken of in connection with Pardew's side but his agent has refuted speculation the player has submitted a transfer request in order to push the deal through. Marc Overmars, the Dutch club's director of football, has dismissed reports of a bid. There is, nevertheless, interest in the transfer, from both parties. Anita is contracted to Ajax till 2014.

"We have spoken with Frank de Boer (manager) and want to have a meeting with Overmars, as he has control over it," the agent was quoted as saying, "But there was no meeting yesterday. Hopefully it is just a matter of weeks."