Newcastle in third bid for Blackburn's Grant Hanley which includes add-ons

The club has had two offers for the defender rejected by the Championship club.

Blackburn value the 24-year-old in the £6million bracket.

And Newcastle, having had a second bid of £4.5million turned down, are expected to submit a significantly increased offer, including add-ons, this week.

United manager Rafa Benitez is looking to replace departed defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor in this summer’s transfer window.

Benitez – who is in Ireland with his squad ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Bohemian in Dublin – is looking to recruit players with Championship experience.

Blackburn manager Owen Coyle wants to keep Hanley, who has played in the division for the past years.

Speaking at the weekend, Coyle said: “I don’t want to be selling Grant Hanley – I’ll say that openly.

“Obviously, we can’t stop clubs from admiring our players. It’s the same with me. I admire players at other clubs and you go after them.

“But what I would also say is about Grant Hanley’s valuation as a player – I hold him in very high esteem. I think he is a very, very good player.

“And I think it’s fair to say, in my opinion, they (Newcastle) are nowhere near the valuation of Grant Hanley. I don’t want to lose him.”