Newcastle join QPR in the race for Junior Hoilett
Newcastle United are set to rival QPR for the signature of Blackburn Rovers winger Junior Hoilett according to the Metro.
Hoilett is out-of-contract at Ewood Park and looked set to sign for German side Borussia Monchengladbach before the proposed switch broke down last month.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old but it looks as if QPR are leading the chase for his services after opening talks over a move to Loftus Road.
However, Magpies boss Alan Pardew is reigniting his inerest in the Canadian, who scored seven goals in 34 games for Rovers last season, after missing out on Twente striker Luuk De Jong.
Signing him isn’t considered a priority by Pardew with Demba Ba set to stay at St James’ Park but he would like to boost the Magpies’ attacking options ahead of their Europa League campaign.
R’s chief Mark Hughes knows he won’t be able to offer Hoilett European football but is hoping his serious interest will persuade him to make the move to West London.
Hughes has already brought in six players this summer as looks transform Rangers into a Premier League force with Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung the latest player to join the club.
Meanwhile, Pardew is hoping to make a breakthrough with his transfer plans and hopes to welcome a new player to Tyneside in the next fortnight.
He said: “No, I don’t think so, not in the immediate week or so, but certainly over the next 14 days, I would like to think a body would come in.
“I would like to think we have got a strategy, and we are looking at various options of players to come in, of course.
“The good news for us is we haven’t lost anybody, and we are doing everything we can to make sure that this team that bedded in so well last year goes forward together.”
