THERE'S a feeling across Europe that Tottenham have signed a new centre-back with the potential to become one of the best in the Premier League in Jan Vertonghen.

Newcastle United also thought so, but they were not prepared to go to the sort of figures that were being offered at White Hart Lane.

Now the Magpies must come up with the alternative they have been working on for weeks - and he too comes from Holland.

Douglas' performances for Twente have also made him a top target for Ajax. The Amsterdam club had identified the Brazilian as the ideal replacement for Vertonghen, who they were resigned to losing this summer.

What Newcastle, prepared to pay £5m, must hope is that they can see the deal over the line before more of the player's suitors come along and offer more money.

Douglas is keen to stay with Twente until the end of next month to gain full Dutch citizenship. Whether that will suit Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, keen to make additions to his squad sooner rather than later, remains to be seen.

But Douglas has all the qualities which could make him a success story on Tyneside. He's big, strong and tends to win his headers and challenges. If they can secure his services for £5m it should represent a really good but of business.

Having already lost out on Belgian Vertonghen, it's pretty important that Newcastle seal their other main central defensive target.