Newcastle United must re-sign Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
It would certainly be tough to do a deal as the Holland international is a regular at Liverpool, including in their run to the Champions League final.
But Newcastle have genuine hope of wresting the 27-year-old back from Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s side are set to re-shape their midfield during the summer window.
The Telegraph report “Liverpool are expected to sign up to three central midfielders this summer, which will increase competition for places”. A deal is already done for Naby Keita to join from RB Leipzig.
Although Emre Can is poised to join Juventus on a free transfer, the potential arrival of two more midfielders alongside Keita means Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and James Milner are fighting for their futures. Big times.
Jordan Henderson is the captain and the first-choice midfield anchorman, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be a key driving force from midfield when he returns in November.
Wijnaldum has made 92 appearances for Liverpool since signing from Newcastle for £25million in the summer of 2016.
But he has not made the same impact as he did at St James’ Park, where he scored 11 goals from midfield in just 40 appearances, three more than he has managed in 52 more matches.
Wijnaldum generally plays deeper for Liverpool, but he is nowhere near the same goal threat and appears to lack the confidence to turn matches in the way he did at Newcastle.
He would certainly be a brilliant signing for Rafael Benitez’s side, even if it was on loan rather than a permanent deal.
Newcastle would need to spend big, but he is the type of marquee central midfielder they need to establish themselves in the Premier League top eight.
