Genoa want to sign the midfielder as well and they have offered €7m with a 50 per cent sell-on fee. However, the report claims that Newcastle’s wage offer to the player is better than Genoa’s. They have also submitted a loan bid to Lille. 

They need to improve their central midfield options and Bruce should do everything in his power to land Maia.

Emil Krafth is expected to join them this summer and he will improve their defence along with Willems.