Alan Pardew's scouts have watched the 21-year-old FC Twente striker on a number of occasions this season.
De Jong is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the Erdevisie and has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
De Jong, who has recently broken into the Dutch national side, has been earmarked among the club's top targets when the window re-opens.
He has scored nine goals in 15 appearances for FC Twente this season, and broke his international duck after finding the back of the net in Holland's 2-0 win over Finland in September.
Source: FOOTYMAD
