The Magpies have stepped up their protracted pursuit of the 27-year-old defender, to go near the eight million euros - around £6.3million - his club want.
Alan Pardew has been waiting patiently for a breakthrough in the transfer market ... but has Mike Ashley been dragging his heels?
Not really, when you consider Toon bids have been made for FC Twente defender Douglas and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.
The bids have been turned down, but don't expect Ashley to pull the plug ... just yet.
Pardew has bolstered his development squad with the acquisitions of Roman Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana and Curtis Good.
However, with the start of the new season fast-approaching and the challenge of Europa League football to be added into the mix, further strengthening to the senior set-up is also required.
PRE-SEASON FIXTURES:BRAGA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ba, R Taylor)Harper; Simpson, Tavernier, Coloccini, R.Taylor; Sammy Ameobi (Obertan 88), Tiote (Cabaye 70), Gutierrez, Marveaux; Cisse, Ba (Vuckic 85).
OLYMPIACOS 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (S Taylor)Krul, Perch, Williamson, S.Taylor (Dummett 46), Santon, Obertan (Sammy Ameobi 72), Bigirimana, Gosling (Abeid 36), Amalfitano, Vuckic, Shola Ameobi (Cisse 72).
FENERBAHCE 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Abeid)Elliot, Simpson (Santon 68), Tavernier, Coloccini, R Taylor, Tiote (Bigirimana 59), Gosling (Abeid 73), Obertan (Shola Ameobi 75), Marveuax (Gutierrez 59), Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 46), Ba (Cisse 68).
MONACO 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ba)Harper, Santon (Ryan Taylor 57), Simpson, Williamson (Perch 46), Gutierrez, Amalfitano (Obertan 62), Abeid (Tavernier 46), Bigirimana (Tiote 62), Sammy Ameobi (Vuckic 46), Shola Ameobi (Gosling 62), Ba (Marveaux 78)
CHEMNITZER 1 NEWCASTLE 0Elliot; Tavernier (Simpson, 70), Williamson, Perch, R Taylor (Santon, 70); Obertan (Gutierrez, 77), Abeid (Bigirimana, 70), Gosling, Amalfitano; Vuckic (Shola Ameobi, 70), Sammy Ameobi (Ba, 77). Sub not used: Harper. Att: 6,700
Sat 04.08.2012 ADO Den Haag v NUFC (*an exhibition game) (5.00pm KO)
Sat 11.08.2012 Cardiff City v NUFC (at Cardiff City Stadium, Wales - 3pm KO)
Source: FOOTYMAD
