McClaren wants silly money for striker

FC Twente boss Steve McClaren has warned Newcastle they will have to make a huge offer to have any chance of signing Luuk de Jong.

Rumours on Friday claimed that the Magpies were interested in acquiring the services of the Dutch international striker, who has bagged 39 goals in 76 league appearances for Twente to date. It has been reported that the north-east club have already sent representatives to Holland to try and work on a deal for the former De Graafschap ace. Newcastle are understood to have failed in an initial £8million bid earlier in June and former England boss McClaren has made it clear that he does not want to sell the striker. And he went as far as to say that it would need to be a massive offer to tempt the club into parting company with the Switzerland-born hit-man "Luuk de Jong would stay if it were up to me - unless stupid money is offered," he said. "The club know what I think about it." Newcastle are looking to bolster their squad after a superb season in the Premier League last term and punters looking to use a free bet might feel that the capture of de Jong could be the final piece of the puzzle to secure a top-four finish next season.