Liverpool agree £25m fee for Wijnaldum – report

Matt Stead

Liverpool have agreed a £25million fee with Newcastle to sign Georginio Wijnaldum, according to widespread reports.

The Reds had been linked with a move for midfielder Wijnaldum throughout the summer, with the rumours intensifying late last week.

It was thought that Liverpool were at first reluctant to meet Newcastle’s £25m demands for the Dutchman, who they signed for £14.5m last summer before being relegated last season, but the Reds have matched the fee.

Contrary to earlier claims, the club have not offered any players in part-exchange. It had been claimed that Lucas Leiva could be offered to go in the other direction, but instead the full £25m will be paid, partially through add-ons.

The Dutch international played the final 11 minutes of Newcastle’s 2-2 friendly draw with Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night, but is believed to have his heart set on a move to Anfield.

Wijnaldum scored 11 goals in 38 Premier League game last season after joining Newcastle for £14.5million from PSV Eindhoven.

Klopp made a move for the Newcastle player after a move for Udinese’s Piotr Zielinski collapsed.

Liverpool flew to the west coast of America in the early hours of Thursday following the 2-0 friendly win over Huddersfield Town.

They are scheduled to have a light session at their Stanford University training base on Thursday and Wijnaldum join up with the squad and have his medical in the USA, while personal terms are not believed to be an issue for the player.