ONGOING. News about possible signings as reported by NUFC.com While claims and counter-claims continue to surface, we believe that United remain in the market for all three of their transfer targets: FC Twente pair Luuk De Jong and Douglas plus Mathieu Debuchy of Lille. The Dutchmen are currently preparing for Thursday night's Europa League First Qualifying Round tie at home to Santa Coloma of Andorra and striker De Jong is yet to link up with them after spending Euro 2012 sitting on the bench for the Netherlands alongside Tim Krul. Fined by Twente for returning late from his native Brazil, the Douglas situation is complicated by a requirement to remain in Holland until late August to fulfil the criteria for his Dutch residency application. The offer made by Newcastle for De Jong last week remains on the table meanwhile, as Twente attempt to start a bidding war amongst other interested parties. What was unsubstantiated interest from German side Borussia Monchengladbach became more substantial when Dutch websites reported on Wednesday that officals from the Bundesliga side were due to meet Twente officials - in the wake of United doing the same last week. What could still become significant though is Newcastle's preference to pay transfer fees up front, rather than in a staged manner as is common practice with other clubs. At Wednesday's press call Twente boss Steve McClaren acknowledged interest in De Jong but maintained that his hopes were still to retain the player for this season. Neither De Jong or Douglas are in the squad for Thursday, but were they to appear for Twente in later qualifying rounds of the Europa League though, that wouldn't present much of an obstacle to United. UEFA regulations allow a player who features in any of the opening four qualifying rounds of the competition to move clubs and still appear for another side in the group stages. Over in France meanwhile, Lille continue preparations for the new season which kicks off on August 11th and begin their friendly programme on Thursday week. Like former club colleague Yohan Cabaye though, Debuchy remains on holiday as a consequence of his Euro 2012 participation. Lille seem resigned to his departure in the current transfer window, but haven't yet moved to replace the 26 year-old with their recruitment to date consisting of a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker. PS: The name of Junior Hoilett has also cropped up again in recent days, with the 22 year-old winger now a free agent after his contract with Blackburn expired. Whether Newcastle are interested in him though, or his representatives are trying to encourage an offer from SJP and other top-flight sides remains to be seen.
Aaahhhh this is so frustrating, I'd love us to get de Jong over anyone else this summer but this are we aren't we stuff is torture! I just wanna know one way or another
