Alan Pardew's chances of bringing De Jong to Tyneside have been handed a major boost.
The question is - does he want to go back to the Dutch Eredivisie or try life with the elite in the Premier League?
Borussia Monchengladbach have warned they are under no pressure to offload the striker, and that is obviously in the hope Newcastle up their bid.
Despite reports that director of football Joe Kinnear flew to Germany this week, NU-Mad can confirm that is NOT the case - he was in the stands at West Ham at the weekend.
It is claimed that De Jong wants the move to Newcastle, with the Chronicle reporting:
A source close to the player’s father, George, told the Chronicle: “Luuk feels like he’s in the waiting room at the moment.
“He’s eager to sign for Newcastle but things are moving very slowly.
“Gladbach don’t want to loan him out until they a back-up striker in as a replacement.
“Of course, it would be different if the transfer went through as a permanent deal.
“But Newcastle have made it clear they want him on loan.
“Both Ajax and PSV were interested but the financial conditions of the deal no longer interest them. Now he’s just waiting for the next contact.
“Newcastle are the only real contenders at the moment.”
Stoke City have also been linked with De Jong.
Gladbach have offered him to Newcastle for around £7m on a permanent deal.
Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl: “We’ll deal with the situation when it occurs. The transfer window is open for another 11 days and things often happen towards the end – we’re now moving into that
“We’ll wait and see.
“Our suggestion is still to go with the same squad as usual in the second half.”