While fellow candidates for signature, Liverpool, debate over who to go for in the January transfer window, Newcastle are keen to steal a target from under the noses of their Premier League rivals in the form of Luuk de Jong.

The forward has been linked with the Merseysiders as well as Chelsea over recent months after an impressive 2010-11 season in the Eredivisie.

What’s more, the Magpies already hold confidence in their attempts of winning the race after de Jong stated that he would jump at the chance to play in the Premier League.

However, the Dutchman is just beginning to break into Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands side, and is understandably hesitant on a move as he is afraid of jeopardizing his spot on the Euro 2012 squad.

That being said, temptation could prevail in this scenario and may simply be a case of Newcastle matching the £10m price-tag that FC Twente have placed on their charge.

The 21 year-old has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for Steve McLaren’s new side and was the team’s highest goalscorer and provider of assists in the 2010-11 season.

McLaren’s appointment is another factor in de Jong’s departure decision, as he may choose to stay with the club should the former Middlesborough boss replicate the managing form he produced in his first spell as manager of the Dutch side.

The York-born helmsman famously led the side to Eredivisie glory in 2010, winning the domestic league and firing the side into their second consecutive Champions League qualifying round.

Newcastle are missing the services of prolific goal-getter, Demba Ba, who is currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations and Luuk de Jong could provide the ideal replacement for a side who are bound to be missing some attacking bite until Ba’s return.