Mackem boss Martin O’Neill watched Granqvist in action for Sweden in October’s friendly against England last month, and was willing to go head-to-head with the Magpies to sign him.
Lazio, Roma, Zenit St Petersburg, Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Granqvist, who has been widely tipped to leave Serie A strugglers Genoa in the transfer window.
Andreas Granqvist: “I’m fine to stay with Genoa, but I don’t know what will happen.
“Everything depends on the President.”
Granqvist made 14 appearances in an 18-month spell at Wigan before rebuilding his career in Sweden and earning a £2m move to Genoa in the summer of 2011.
Granqvist’s agent Simon Canovi: “He is a player of real value which may be important for Genoa to climb the table.
“I think it is normal that Andreas is appealing to other clubs.
“But in my opinion, there are not many strong defenders like Granqvist around and they cost too much.”