NEWCASTLE UNITED are in discussions with Borussia Monchengladbach centred on striking a potential swap deal that would bring an end to Papiss Cisse’s two years on Tyneside.

The Northern Echo understands the Magpies’ director of football Joe Kinnear is due in Germany for top level talks in the hope of sealing a transfer which would see Luuk De Jong head in the opposite direction.

Newcastle’s admiration for De Jong, 23, is long standing, but the prospect of Cisse returning to the Bundesliga is a fresh development and looks increasingly likely.

The 28-year-old has been the subject of strong interest from the Middle East during the last week. A Qatari Stars League club is understood to have made numerous offers for his services.

However, Newcastle are considering offloading the Senegalese striker, who has been keen to stay in the North-East and fight for his place, to boost their attempts to land De Jong.

The Dutchman turned down an opportunity to move to St James’ Park last summer when he agreed a £12.6m switch to Monchengladbach instead.

The Northern Echo:

Leaving Holland, where he played for FC Twente, for Germany has not gone to plan and he recently admitted he could “imagine going” to Newcastle.

An initial loan deal until the end of this season was first talked about, although it could yet be that a permanent exchange takes place.

Newcastle could have to pay some money as part of a deal, given De Jong’s higher valuation and younger age.

Cisse has become frustrated in recent months after losing his place. He has struggled to recapture the sort of form that made him an instant hit at St James’ when he scored 13 goals in 13 appearances following his £9m switch from Freiburg in January 2011.

The former Metz front-man is renowned as a prolific goalscorer in the Bundesliga. During his first full season with Freiburg he hit a club record 22 goals, which was also the highest number ever scored by an African in the German top-flight.

If a deal is concluded with Monchengladbach before the transfer window closes on January 31, Newcastle are still likely to want another striker to compete with De Jong, Loic Remy and Shola Ameobi for a first team place.