Newcastle United reportedly had a January offer rejected for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes.
Elsewhere, Steve Bruce has expressed his hope that Allan Saint-Maximin is almost ready for a start.
Here is your 4am Newcastle United digest.
Nunes offer?
Newcastle United had a bid in the region of £11.5m turned down for Sporting midfielder Matheus Nunes - according to Portuguese title Record via Sport Witness.
The report claims the Magpies made their approach a fortnight ago, but the Portuguese club believe the 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder's value will only soar in the coming months.
Saint-Maximin's return
Steve Bruce has dropped a hint that Allan Saint-Maximin is edging towards his first start since November for Newcastle United.
Having recovered from Covid, Saint-Maximin has made three cameo roles in the Premier League but Bruce is eager to see him make a full impact.
Saint-Maximin came on for the last 27 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace and had a couple of shots blocked but couldn't snatch an equaliser.
Shelveys' verdict
Jonjo Shelvey says that Newcastle United's "disappointed" dressing room know they should have taken all three points against Crystal Palace.
The defeat now heaps extra emphasis on the home clash with Southampton at the weekend with Shelvey keen to right a few wrongs on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
The stand-in skipper had got things off to a great start against Palace with a well-taken strike at the Leazes End.
But Newcastle were unable to convert one of their 20 other goal attempts and slumped to defeat number 12 of the season.
