NEWCASTLE have tabled a £20m bid for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.

However, after their initial bid of around £16m was rejected earlier this week, Aston Villa have immediately returned to the table and lodged a £21m offer in an attempt to beat the Magpies to the signing of the England international.

On a hectic morning that has also seen Newcastle have a £13.5m bid accepted for Norwich full-back Jamal Lewis, Wilson's desire to leave Bournemouth in the wake of last season's relegation has sparked a bidding war that has forced the Magpies to abandon plans to include Matt Ritchie in a potential deal.

Ritchie's reluctance to drop down to the Championship meant negotiations involving the Scotsman were going to be extremely complex, but time is not on Newcastle's side with Aston Villa attempting to push through an agreement as quickly as possible.

Sources on the south coast claim Wilson's preference at the moment is for a move to Newcastle ahead of Aston Villa.

However, Bournemouth are yet to respond to either club, and it remains to be seen how developments play out over the next couple of days.

All parties are keen for a resolution before the Premier League and Championship seasons begin next weekend though, so a decision is anticipated within the next 48 hours.

As well as pursuing Wilson and Lewis, Newcastle remain confident of tying up a deal for free agent Ryan Fraser.