NEWCASTLE last night made a second approach for Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison after their initial offer to Old Trafford officials was rebuffed.

The Magpies, who are also considering a bid for Crystal Palace's teenage attacker Wilfried Zaha, discussed a potential deal with Manchester United officials earlier this week.

At that stage, a bid of around £500,000 was tabled, only to be hastily dismissed by the reigning Premier League champions despite their willingness to part company with the 18-year-old.

However, there is understood to have been a further approach yesterday evening in which an improved offer was discussed.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is now waiting to discover whether a fee can be agreed, enabling him to discuss personal terms with Morrison.

Pardew's main priority this month remains a new centre-half, but he has been told there is a budget for young players who could potentially be sold for a profit, regardless of position, and is light of attacking options given Demba Ba's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, a recent injury to Sammy Amoebi and the out-of-favour Nile Ranger's unavailability because of an injury concern.

Ironically, Morrison's career path has followed a similar trajectory to Ranger's thus far, with both players hitting the headlines for what they have done off the pitch rather than on it.

Manchester-born Morrison pleaded guilty to two counts of witness intimidation last year and was sentenced to a 12-month referral order and ordered to pay costs and compensation of £1,445.

He has also suffered from disciplinary problems at Old Trafford, where his failure to appear for a number of training sessions has resulted in a breakdown in his relationship with the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson clearly rates the teenager highly, and has previously referred to him as a “very, very talented boy”.

However, Morrison has grown disillusioned with his failure to force his way into the first-team picture, and has steadfastly refused to sign a new contract.

He is due to become a free agent next summer, and while Manchester United would be due a compensation fee because he is under 23, it would be unlikely to amount to much more than £300,000.

As a result, Ferguson has reluctantly accepted that it would be better to move him on this month, with sources in Manchester claiming he is holding out for a seven-figure fee.

Newcastle's improved offer is understood to be close to that figure, despite the fact that Morrison would arrive with considerable baggage.

Pardew felt confident he could turn Ranger's career around, only to send the striker on loan to Barnsley before an injury forced his premature return from Oakwell.

Morrison would present a similar challenge, although the England youth international is not the only highly-rated youngster catching Newcastle's eye.

Zaha has been on their radar for a number of months along with his Crystal Palace team-mate, Nathaniel Clyne, who plays at right-back.

Meanwhile, the agent of FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong claims his client is attracting the interest of Newcastle, as well as their Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Newcastle scouts are known to have watched de Jong recently, but the forward's agent, Louis Laros, does not believe new FC Twente boss, Steve McClaren, will let the 21-year-old leave.

“I know they (Liverpool and Newcastle) are watching him but I have had no direct contact with either club about a possible transfer,” said Laros. “I don't think a transfer is possible because I don't think FC Twente will let him leave in the winter transfer period. If there is a possible transfer then I think it is at the end of the season.

“I spoke to Newcastle about Luuk, his brother Siem and Ricky van Wolfswinkel, but I only know they are watching, for a possible transfer it's too early. I didn't receive a phone call to start negotiations, they are only watching him at the moment.”