NEWCASTLE still hold an interest in signing Jobe Bellingham after he rejected a move to join rivals Sunderland, reports say.
Bellingham - the younger brother to Real Madrid star Jude - left Birmingham for the Blacks Cats in the summer for £1.5million.
And according to the Daily Mail, Sunderland beat off interest from bitter enemies Newcastle to do so.
It is claimed Toon bosses spoke with Bellingham's family over a transfer to St. James Park.
But, the 18-year-old favoured the Stadium of Light as it offered more guaranteed first-team football.
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And the move looks to have paid off with the playmaker having made 26 appearances this season with four goals.
His form is said to have garnered more transfer interest from across Europe with Newcastle still among those tracking Bellingham.
They will get a front row seat to watch him in action tomorrow as the rivalling sides meet in a rare Tyne–Wear derby in the FA Cup.
But Bellingham's brother Jude will not be there having watched his younger sibling play twice over the Christmas period.
Instead, the England international has returned to Madrid in time for Copa del Rey tie at Arandina on Saturday night.
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It comes amid news Jude, 20, is following in Gareth Bale's foosteps by breaking LaLiga protocol by cutting holes in the back of his socks.
Spanish publication AS states that is actually not technically allowed in LaLiga.
Players are not supposed to play with ripped socks, shorts or shirts.
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However, chiefs “turn a blind eye” as they are “aware of the medical chaos” implementing the rule and forcing players to wear a full sock.