The Liverpool Offside - Liverpool FC Transfer News: Reds Sign Georginio WijnaldumZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2016-07-23T04:10:30+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/120140572016-07-23T04:10:30+01:002016-07-23T04:10:30+01:00Klopp: There Is More to Come from Wijnaldum
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7Z140EyE6HXd3fu0ThyB3e6CFPE=/543x599:3317x2448/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50184445/GettyImages-505223690.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ian MacNicol/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jürgen Klopp shared his delight with Liverpool's new signing, Georginio Wijnaldum.</p> <p>After Georginio Wijnaldum <a href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/22/12250192/official-liverpool-sign-georginio-wijnaldum-transfer-fee-contract-terms" target="_blank">joined</a> Liverpool on Friday, Jürgen Klopp will be able to work with the player in training and pre-season matches in America. It's good to see Liverpool completing the bulk of the summer's transfer business before playing the tougher teams in the club's pre-season schedule. All before the end of July, too.</p>
<p>The 25-year-old became <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> seventh signing of a busy summer for £25 million after clearly not wanting to spend any time playing in the Championship with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> United. Although Klopp didn't give away where Wijnaldum will play, the manager shared his delight with the deal and admiration for Liverpool's new number five.</p>
<p>"I am so happy that we have got him and he can join us now in the USA," Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F228713-klopp-wijnaldum-can-be-a-great-player-for-us&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-transfer-news%2F2016%2F7%2F23%2F12261538%2Fliverpool-manager-jurgen-klopp-hails-latest-signing-georginio-wijnaldum-real-footballer" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">told the official site</a>. "I think he can be a great player for us. He has already shown some really good moments in his career but the most exciting and important thing for me and my staff is that there is still so much extra to come from him. When I talked to him I could tell that he knows we have to work together to get this level out of him to all be successful for the team."</p>
<p>The 49-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 hailed Wijnaldum's versatility, tactical intelligence, and experience. Klopp often talks about other qualities he looks for in players beyond the physical and technical, which Liverpool can thankfully expect in Wijnaldum: "He has played a lot for his country already, been captain at a young age in Holland and also been involved in a tough Premier League season so this experience gives him a good foundation for the challenge here - which everybody knows is huge!</p>
<p>"He can play a few positions for us and players that come through the Dutch system usually have a good tactical understanding and flexibility. That's really important. I can't wait to get him on the training pitch and for the fans to see him play in a Liverpool shirt."</p>
<p>Experience, versatility, and tactical awareness. Not bad qualities to have in a midfielder alongside athleticism, skill, and equine lungs.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/23/12261538/liverpool-manager-jurgen-klopp-hails-latest-signing-georginio-wijnaldum-real-footballerCStars2016-07-22T21:30:03+01:002016-07-22T21:30:03+01:00Kuyt on Wijnaldum's "Wonderful Transfer"
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c-kjSevzkAWTBmKMJXJ5K1T4DjU=/0x157:2259x1663/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50178241/GettyImages-500197080.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt had his say on Georginio Wijnaldum—Kuyt's compatriot and Liverpool's latest big-money signing.</p> <p>After <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> signed Georginio Wijnaldum from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> United, many Liverpool fans would appreciate some more assurance about the quality of a player who is tasked to help the club push on in 2016/17.</p>
<p>Wijnaldum is one of Jürgen Klopp's key signings this summer, and interestingly, former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt <a href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dirk-kuyt-georginio-wijnaldum-liverpool-11649192" target="_blank">praised</a> the attacking midfielder as well as revealing that Liverpool have been tracking the 25-year-old for some time under previous managers.</p>
<p>"(It is) a wonderful transfer for Gini," the 35-year-old said. "The best compliment for him was that his name in my time at Liverpool buzzed inside the club. He was watched by the scouts already in his youth days at Feyenoord as a very great talent.</p>
<p>"When I played for Liverpool, I heard them frequently say that he would be a wonderful asset one day. He eventually ended up at PSV and Newcastle, before moving to Anfield. He is now at a top club in England and he’ll be at home.</p>
<p>"Led by Klopp, Liverpool want to go way up again. I myself have been at the semi-finals in the Europa League and then I noticed that something is growing. Klopp sees Gini as a nice player. I know him well, he also did well in Brazil. He is not only a good player, but also a player with the lungs of a horse."</p>
<p>What ties Dirk Kuyt and Georginio Wijnaldum apart from both being Dutch, playing at Feyenoord, and ending up at Liverpool? They both won Dutch Footballer of the Year awards after outstanding campaigns and proved that their talents could translate to the Premier League—generally considered to be quite a step above the Eredivisie.</p>
<p>Luis Suárez, another former winner of the Dutch award, ensures that Georginio Wijanldum keeps some fine company in terms of successful Eredivisie stars who went on to wear Liverpool colours. What's more, Dirk Kuyt—a player full of perspiration and application—intimately understands what it takes to succeed for Liverpool under a top manager with exacting standards and tactical demands.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/22/12255516/former-liverpool-star-dirk-kuyt-praises-new-signing-georginio-wijnaldumCStars2016-07-22T19:37:54+01:002016-07-22T19:37:54+01:00Georginio Wijnaldum to Wear Number Five
<figure>
<img alt="Netherlands Training Session & Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GArqq5ksqEUCnyDUVWMgowG50lI=/0x260:2070x1640/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50181741/496846100.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="82VeiN" style="text-align: justify;">Having <a href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/22/12250192/official-liverpool-sign-georginio-wijnaldum-transfer-fee-contract-terms">completed his move to Liverpool</a> from Newcastle for a base £23M fee plus potentially a further £2M in add-ons, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has chosen to wear the same shirt number for the Reds he did while with the Magpies: shirt number five.</p>
<p id="5EGO8B" style="text-align: justify;">Surprisingly, despite being a core squad number, it’s not one with a long history of Liverpool players having worn it. Most recently, it was Daniel Agger’s, but before him, only three other players have worn the five for the club in the Premier League era: Milan Baros, Steve Staunton, and Mark Wright.</p>
<div id="3hX0kY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash">#LFC</a> can confirm new signing <a href="https://twitter.com/GWijnaldum">@GWijnaldum</a> will wear the No.5⃣ shirt: <a href="https://t.co/8cWkOzuH3B">https://t.co/8cWkOzuH3B</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeWijnaldum?src=hash">#WelcomeWijnaldum</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Q5SqBss0Q">pic.twitter.com/3Q5SqBss0Q</a></p>
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/756557037685923840">July 22, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div>
<p id="RbtZtM" style="text-align: justify;">That would make Wijnaldum the fifth Liverpool player to take on the five since the FA switched to the use of persistent squad numbers in 1993, abandoning the previous practice of insisting that the starting lineup be made up of players wearing only the numbers one through 11.</p>
<p id="zoRL1w" style="text-align: justify;">It might also have some thinking that, just maybe, it signals that Jürgen Klopp sees the Dutch international as more of a box-to-box midfielder than a supporting attack player, and that Wijnaldum might even end up lining up alongside Emre Can in the double-pivot this season rather than being played higher up the pitch.</p>
<p id="Olg8po" style="text-align: justify;">Wherever he plays, though, fans will be expecting goals, runs, and work-rate from the club’s new, £25M signing, who is expected to join up with his new teammates in California tomorrow.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2016/7/22/12259238/georginio-wijnaldum-liverpool-shirt-number-five-daniel-aggerNoel Chomyn2016-07-22T19:11:38+01:002016-07-22T19:11:38+01:00Official: Liverpool Sign Georginio Wijnaldum
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XOTsDpLKTYnTrpky_7V4E88SWRY=/1173x0:3864x1794/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50177625/GettyImages-505284872.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ian MacNicol/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Reds add another interesting piece during a busy transfer window.</p> <p>Liverpool have made the signing of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum official through a release on the club's website. Having successfully completed his medical today, the midfielder will now travel to the United States join the team on its pre-season tour this weekend, and he will be expected to face Chelsea on Wednesday.</p>
<p>This past week, Jürgen Klopp turned his attention to the versatile 25-year-old after a number of other rumored negotiations for central midfielders failed to progress. The Reds closed the deal for a reported fee of £23 million up front plus a further £2 million in add-ons. The Dutch midfielder signed a five-year deal for a reported £75,000 a week to continue playing in the Premier League.</p>
<p>Wijnaldum agreed to a new five-year contract with Liverpool, according to <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10507871/liverpool-agree-16325m-transfer-fee-for-newcastles-georginio-wijnaldum" target="_blank">Sky Sports</a>. He <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F228707-liverpool-complete-georginio-wijnaldum-capture&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-transfer-news%2F2016%2F7%2F22%2F12250192%2Fofficial-liverpool-sign-georginio-wijnaldum-transfer-fee-contract-terms" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">was naturally delighted</a> to sign for Liverpool and play for Jürgen Klopp: "I’m really excited because Liverpool is a big club with a great history and it’s always a dream to play for as big a club as Liverpool. [He seems] a great man - from the outside - because I don’t know how he works yet and I have to work with him. [But] I always love to watch him, his passion as a trainer, I like how he enjoys the game. He gives something back to the group [with his passion] so I look forward to working with him."</p>
<p>Wijnaldum scored 11 goals last year -- his first in the Premier League -- but could not save <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> from relegation. Nonetheless, the onetime top PSV prospect maintained his status as an intriguing talent entering his prime. He brings dynamism, intelligence, skill, athleticism, and attacking productivity ahead of Klopp's first full season in English football.</p>
<p>There are questions about where he'll slot into <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> lineup given the glut of skilled attacking midfielders in the squad, but with <span>Joe Allen</span> set to join <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city">Swansea City</a>, there's at minimum a place for him as a key rotational piece in more of a box to box role.</p>
<p>Wijnaldum joins a list of notable recent Liverpool signings that includes the likes of Sadio Mané, Loris Karius, Joel Matip, Marko Grujic and Ragnar Klavan.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/22/12250192/official-liverpool-sign-georginio-wijnaldum-transfer-fee-contract-termsDan Bernstein2016-07-22T09:05:19+01:002016-07-22T09:05:19+01:00Transfer Scouting: Georginio Wijnaldum
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/guAw8g9gF_D5ZsgYszn4gqNKbSQ=/0x127:1995x1457/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50166447/GettyImages-493230934.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With Georginio Wijnaldum on the verge of signing for Liverpool from Newcastle United, we take a closer look at what the 25-year-old midfielder can bring to Jürgen Klopp's squad.</p> <p>Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum <a href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/21/12248346/liverpool-fc-transfer-news-agree-personal-terms-georginio-wijnaldum-newcastle" target="_blank">is set to join</a> Liverpool to be part of Jürgen Klopp's first full season at the club. The Dutch midfielder has been long regarded as a player of considerable potential since becoming the youngest player to play for Feyenoord nearly ten years ago at 16 years of age. Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suárez proved that the very qualities that made earned Dutch Footballer of the Year accolades would prove to be successful at Liverpool, but can Wijnaldum follow in their footsteps?</p>
<blockquote>
<p align="right"> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">Georginio Wijnaldum</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br></div>
<font color="grey">
<h5 style="text-align: left;">
<span>Attacking Midfielder<br></span>DOB: 11/11/90 (25) | Height: 5'9" (1.75 meters)<br>2015-16 Season: 40 appearances<br>11 goals, 5 assists</h5>
</font>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Strengths:</b> Georginio Wijnaldum is an extremely dynamic player with impressive physical and technical gifts. Just as <span>Emre Can</span> brings a stature and physicality to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> midfield, the 25-year-old will provide box to box verticality that will be crucial in Jürgen Klopp's system. Whether it's at number ten, in a box to box role in a midfield three, or a deeper position as part of a double pivot, the former PSV Eindhoven midfielder's versatility enables him to succeed in a variety of roles for numerous reasons.</p>
<p>Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have been the Premier League benchmark for midfielders consistently hitting solid goalscoring numbers for their respective sides. Midfielders that possess a confidence in front of goal are extremely valuable. While they may not break forward at every opportunity for a chance to shoot closer to the opposition's goal, they tend to look threatening when shooting. A goal, a near miss, or a goalkeeper forced to make a save is usually the result of their attacking forays. While Wijnaldum has some way to go to match the consistency of the likes of Lampard and Gerrard, he finishes deceptively well in the air and excellently on the ground with his right foot. Expect some goals and emphatic finishing.</p>
<p>Breaking past opponents via dribbling or a surging off the ball run will be something to look out for. Like the signing of Sadio Mané, there is talent both with and without the ball to aid Liverpool's attacking movement and fluidity. Players will struggle to keep up with and take the ball off them. What Wijnaldum also excels in is shielding the ball in close proximity to his opponents. This was an area that has developed in his time in Holland as he sometimes lost the ball in physical tussles even though he was more technically gifted and skillful than his opponents. His physique is quite ideal to be successful in the modern game: solid enough to withstand physical battles but agile enough to change direction quite swiftly.</p>
<p>Wijnaldum's versatility is borne out of an understanding and intelligence in his game. How else could he adapt from a number ten at Feyenoord to a central midfielder for Philp Cocu at PSV? Louis van Gaal's demands of Wijnaldum during a successful run at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">2014 World Cup</a> might share some similarities with what will be asked of him at Liverpool, if as some suspect, the Dutch international partners Can in midfield. This is a player with the necessary skills, finishing ability, and vim to thrive in attack. At a grand stage against high-level opponents at international level, Wijnaldum displayed discipline, zeal for defensive duties, a willingness to burst into space before quickly returning to his position in successive phases of play, and handle possession maturely.</p>
<p>Professional and attitude are often as important as ability on the pitch. While it is difficult and often impossible to peer into the mind of a player, Wijnaldum has been known to be a reliable and focused member of the team. Yes, the Dutchman clearly wanted to avoid playing in the Championship, but he didn't bleat about it every five minutes. See: <span>Moussa Sissoko</span>. A goal or assist every 200 minutes combined with an impressive durability underlines what a good player Liverpool are actually picking up.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses:</b> Many Newcastle fans were rightly unhappy with Wijnaldum's performances away from home—the midfielder scored all 11 of his Premier League goals at St James' Park last season. This was the captain of PSV—one of the Eredivisie's stars—who is capable of inspirational performances. As Newcastle struggled in vain against relegation from the Premier League, Wijnaldum had some poor games when he was needed. That he ended as the club's top scorer from midfield in his first season in England suggest that he was the least of Newcastle's problems in a disastrous campaign.</p>
<p>While a first season England was largely successful for Wijnaldum in terms of adapting to a new league and proving that his talents in the Eredivisie could translate to one of Europe's premier leagues, consistency was a bit of a problem. This is understandable in a debut campaign at a struggling club, but Rafael Benítez did drop Wijnaldum -- a key player Rafa presumably needed -- to the bench a few times in the heat of a relegation battle.</p>
<p>The pressure playing for Liverpool will be greater than Wijnadlum has ever experienced at club level, where wilting in terms of performances and output can draw groans from an impatient crowd. Newcastle are a big club, but Liverpool is an altogether more imposing and sprawling beast. Although Liverpool won't be slumming it in the bottom half of the table or battling relegation, a similar tendency to only perform at home would undermine his role as a regular starter. James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Marko Grujić will ensure that there will be greater competition in comparison to what Newcastle could offer.</p>
<p>Scoring 11 goals from midfield in a relegated team, however, isn't something that can be easily dismissed. Like Danny Ings, Wijnaldum will be pleased to be playing with much better players without being the club's primary source of inspiration. Although Liverpool won't be playing in Europe this coming season, there will be difficult moments and periods that the players must overcome in order to shape a successful season. Can Wijnaldum be counted on during Liverpool's travels and when the season is coming to a close? While these fears are somewhat unfair, they've been raised and cannot be ignored.</p>
<p>There have been doubts raised about the defensive side of Wijnaldum's game and the numbers he recorded in stats, interceptions, and tackles. His role at Newcastle, however, was primarily an attacking one. It is interesting to note that they weren't widely dissimilar to his output in his final season at PSV, but there is an appetite in the way he approaches the game. It's not necessarily furious, but when Wijnaldum is on song, he can seem to be greatly involved and cover a lot of the pitch. So expect his defensive stats in this area to undergo a boost under Klopp with the 49-year-old's particular tactical demands.</p>
<p><b>Summation:</b> Simply put, he's a modern and well-rounded midfielder with great stamina. He can see a pass, help the team push forward, and function in a variety of roles. It was a surprise that Newcastle were able to sign him last summer as both he and Memphis Depay were thought to be headed to a European giant after PSV.</p>
<p>Georginio Wijnaldum might not be what was expected in strengthening Liverpool's midfield but is quite different to the existing midfielders at the club. If he can build on last season's productivity and form in the Premier League, he will add a new dimension to Merseyside's finest. This is a player in his prime with the tools and the manager to thrive at Anfield.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/22/12242990/liverpool-new-signing-georginio-wijnaldum-scouting-report-transferCStars2016-07-21T18:30:03+01:002016-07-21T18:30:03+01:00Liverpool Agree Terms with Wijnaldum
<figure>
<img alt="Newcastle United v West Ham United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VWiZwd7wUjKJ_NM9ue1vD8yITL0=/134x92:3818x2548/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50171447/505284870.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A fee and terms have been agreed for the Newcastle midfielder, with a medical set for Friday.</p> <p id="cqFgGb" style="text-align: justify;">Having agreed a fee with Newcastle early this morning, Liverpool have moved quickly to complete the signing of 25-year-old Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum. According to multiple reports, following successful negotiations with his club, the player has agreed a five-year deal with Liverpool.</p>
<p id="LBJ1Gj" style="text-align: justify;">Wijnaldum is expected to undergo a medical on Friday, after which he will immediately fly out to join his new teammates in California as Liverpool prepare for their pre-season tour of the United States. Further, according to the Liverpool Echo, the final deal with Newcastle is for £23M up front plus a further £2M in add-ons.</p>
<p id="2QA8Xu" style="text-align: justify;">The versatile midfielder joined Newcastle from PSV in 2015 for £14.5M and was a bright spot for struggling Newcastle. His eleven goals in the Premier League stood him 13th top scorer in the league, level with fellow new Liverpool signing Sadio Mané. Amongst non-strikers only Riyad Mahrez and Alexis Sanchez scored more.</p>
<p id="y96Pmd" style="text-align: justify;">However, whether he plays a similar attacking role at Liverpool to the one he took on at Newcastle, is an open question, and for Netherlands he has often set up deeper as a central midfield playmaker. Wijnaldum’s positional flexibility could be key given Liverpool seem to already be overstocked with attacking midfield options.</p>
<p id="3l2TUn" style="text-align: justify;">Wherever he plays, though, that he recorded a goal or assist every 198 minutes in the league in his first year in English football for a struggling side should augur well for his chances of making an impact at Anfield, and it’s not much of a step down from the goal or assist every 160 minutes he previous managed in the Eredivisie.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/21/12248346/liverpool-fc-transfer-news-agree-personal-terms-georginio-wijnaldum-newcastleNoel Chomyn2016-07-21T09:15:04+01:002016-07-21T09:15:04+01:00Liverpool and Newcastle Agree to Wijnaldum Fee
<figure>
<img alt="Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l95moiQTMZ7bO_Sdu2zDQITn1YQ=/66x363:1557x1357/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50169229/531680450.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool inch closer to a Wijnaldum capture, with a £25 million fee agreed upon by both sides. </p> <p id="Gl5XwM">The deal to bring Georginio Wijnaldum to Merseyside moves ahead at pace, with<a href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wijnaldum-deal-agreed-now-chelsea-11643775"> The Echo reporting</a> that Newcastle and Liverpool have agreed to a £25 million plus add-ons fee for the Dutch midfielder. This is slightly less than the previous Newcastle valuation of £27 million, although we don’t know what the add-ons entail at this juncture. </p>
<p id="lBxd6s">Wijnaldum will have to first undergo a medical at Melwood before a deal can be completed. </p>
<p id="ug9hXC">If the medical and personal terms can be sorted quickly (and at the this point, it’s hard to assume they wouldn’t be), there is an outside possibility of Wijnaldum making his Liverpool debut in sunny Pasadena, California against Chelsea, a week from today. </p>
<p id="F7l4Oh">The 25-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle last year from PSV Eindhoven, where he played all 38 Premier League matches and bagged 11 goals and 5 assists in the process. He played mostly in the attacking midfield band for Newcastle, but with the way the transfer window has unfolded so far, some assume that Jürgen Klopp would like to play him deeper as a central midfielder. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2016/7/21/12246296/liverpool-and-newcastle-agree-to-wijnaldum-feeZachary Marx2016-07-20T17:45:03+01:002016-07-20T17:45:03+01:00Liverpool Beat Tottenham in Wijnaldum Race
<figure>
<img alt="Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NYhsjfrIbSljeTrAR0ODKxg3zVc=/1462x134:4873x2408/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50162617/504687340.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Newcastle midfielder held out of friendly as deal nears completion.</p> <p id="4rSoYR" style="text-align: justify;">Having failed to get a deal done for Udinese midfielder Piotr Zielinski, Liverpool moved on to Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum. There were only two things standing in their way: a £25M transfer fee and rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur.</p>
<p id="reo6iD" style="text-align: justify;">Today, it appears that neither of those will in the end be enough to stop a transfer getting done, with Sky Sports claiming that Tottenham have backed off of Wijnaldum as Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the fee being demanded for the versatile Netherlands international is too high.</p>
<p id="NFD9mN" style="text-align: justify;">Liverpool, though, appear to have not been put off by Newcastle’s asking price for a player they paid £14.5M for last year. With Jürgen Klopp having been promised £70M plus sales this summer should he wish to splash the cash, if the club want Wijnaldum, the fee isn’t going to be an issue.</p>
<p id="QehIJW" style="text-align: justify;">With the club having already recouped a fair bit of money selling Jordon Ibe, Martin Skrtel, Sergi Canos, and Jerome Sinclair, their net spend so far this summer is only around £10M—helped in part by getting Joël Matip on a free and triggering Loris Karius’ bargain £4.7M release clause.</p>
<p id="xIa932" style="text-align: justify;">With Christian Benteke and Joe Allen likely to bring in around £45M should they be sold, Jürgen Klopp is free to spend what he wants on who he wants. And it appears that he wants Wijnaldum, who has been held out of Newcastle’s friendly against Doncaster Rovers this evening.</p>
<p id="FQB5Iy" style="text-align: justify;">Combined with reports of Spurs having backed away at Newcastle’s £25M asking price, it’s difficult to draw any other conclusion than that negotiations to transfer the player to Liverpool are at an advanced stage such that his current club don’t want to risk a pre-season injury that would derail a deal.</p>
<p id="W6mKcj" style="text-align: justify;">If a deal can be agreed within the next few days, the player would join Liverpool for their pre-season North American tour, which kicks off next week when the Reds face Chelsea on Thursday from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. They then will face AC Milan and Roma before returning to England.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/7/20/12238098/liverpool-beat-tottenham-georginio-wijnaldum-transfer-25m-newcastle-held-out-friendlyNoel Chomyn