Newly-promoted Premier League club Newcastle United have stepped up their pursuit of English-born Nigerian winger Sheyi Ojo.

The Sun says manager Rafa Benitez has opened a line of communication with Jurgen Klopp over signing Ojo on a permanent basis after a loan move was turned down by the Anfield side.

And it has been claimed that Ojo was omitted from Liverpool's trip to Asia on Sunday to enable him thrash out a deal with the Magpies.

Newcastle United will test the Reds resolve to hold onto the England U20 World Cup star by making a bid in the region of ten million pounds (N4.65 billion).

The 20-year-old Ojo joined Liverpool in 2011 from Milton Keynes Dons, and has 13 first team appearances to his name.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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