Brighton reject Newcastle's offer for Knockaert

The Magpies are looking to fill the void left by former attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and are eyeing the Brighton winger as a potential replacement. 

The 24-year-old joined the south coast club last season and played 21 games, scoring 5 goals. 

Brighton boss Chris Highton wants to keep the former France U-21 international, saying that the club needs to keep its best players if it is to attempt to win promotion to the Premier League. 

"What we expect is lots of speculation. It's a consequence of the season we had last season but we want to challenge again (for promotion) and we want a team that is as good as last season and our aim is to keep our best players," he told 'Sky Sports'.