Fulham and Newcastle Duel Over Douglas Expected as FC Twente Supremo Signals Defender Can Leave

Tuesday, 21st August, 2012

Dutch side FC Twente are preparing to bid farewell to Brazilian defender Douglas next week, with English Premier League duo Fulham and Newcastle United expected to battle for his signature.

Douglas has been linked with an exit from Enschede at various points this summer and the 24-year-old, who holds Dutch citizenship, has made mixed noises over whether he is eyeing the exit door.

It is a process which has frustrated Twente chairman Joop Munsterman – and the club supremo is now more than willing to part company with the defender if the price is right, given worries over a contract which expires in 2013.

Newcastle have tracked Douglas for much of the transfer window, even sending a delegation to talk about signing the player earlier this summer, when Luuk de Jong, who later joined Borussia Monchengladbach, was also on the Magpies’ radar.

Fulham too are expected to be firmly in the chase for Douglas, and Cottagers boss Martin Jol knows the player well from his time in the Eredivisie.

And both clubs are sure to be encouraged by Munsterman’s words.

"We have not heard anything concrete", conceded the Twente supremo to Voetbal International.

"But if proper compensation is offered, in our view, Douglas should leave because he could otherwise leave for free next year."

Douglas is expected to be involved for Twente against NEC in the Eredivisie on Sunday, but that could be his last match for Steve McClaren’s men.

Indeed, the Brazilian stopper is expected to be one of the highest profile potential movers on the final week of the summer transfer window.