Newcastle up bid to £7m for PSV's Erik Pieters (original) (raw)

In race against time, Pardew ups the ante for PSV's Pieters to £7m

By Updated: 17:32 EDT, 14 August 2011

Toon transfer target: PSV Eindhoven's Erik Pieters (left)

Newcastle have raised their bid for PSV Eindhoven left-back Erik Pieters to £7million in a an effort to get the deal wrapped up before Saturday's North East derby with Sunderland.

Sportsmail revealed Newcastle's interest in the 23-year-old last week and they hope their improved offer will be enough to tempt PSV who are struggling for money.

Pieters has been on compassionate leave following the death of his grandmother but figured in Saturday's 1-0 win over RKC Waalwijk and is keen to move to England.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew remains keen on bringing in a striker also with Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner among his targets.

Stoke are leading the bidding but are still short of Arsenal's £11m valuation while Sunderland have also been offered the Dane but are also weighing up other targets including Tottenham's Peter Crouch.

Manager Steve Bruce saw Asamoah Gyan limp out of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool with an ankle injury after falling awkwardly and will consider dipping into the transfer market again this week.