Newcastle United, Aston Villa to battle for Douglas?

Newcastle United and Aston Villa are locked in a battle to sign FC Twente's Brazilian defender Douglas, reports suggest.

According to the Daily Mail, Alan Pardew travelled to Holland on Sunday to watch Douglas play in Twente's 1-0 defeat to Ajax.

The Magpies manager has been linked with a move for the centre-back, who has also been the subject of interest from Bundesliga outfit Schalke.

However, Douglas is reported to prefer a move to the Premier League.

The Eredivisie club are said to value the 24-year-old, who plays under a Dutch passport, at £8m.