Lee Charnley held face-to-face negotiations with representatives from PSV Eindhoven yesterday, as Newcastle step up their efforts to land Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to the Chronicle.
It is believed the talks went well and Newcastle have made a bid in the region of €16million (roughly £11.5million when converted to sterling), as per the Chronicle.
Charnley has offered Wijnaldum £60,000-a-week, as well as bonuses, in a bid to temp the 24-year-old to Tyneside. Should he sign, Wijnaldum will become the club’s joint highest earner – alongside Fabricio Coloccini.
Wijnaldum has also been guaranteed that he and Siem de Jong will both start (when fit) next season, to address any concerns over first-team football he may have.
Following successful talks with his current employers, as well as his agent, Newcastle have invited Wijnaldum to visit St James’ Park as they look to finalise their first signing of the summer (according to the Mail).
However, as a fee is yet to be agreed, it is believed Wijnaldum will travel with PSV to their training camp in France before flying to Tyneside the two clubs reach an agreement, as per Dutch news outlet Eindhovens Dagblad.
In an interview on Soccernews.nl, Wijnaldum admitted his decision will be based on footballing reasons and not solely financial ones.
“You need to know what intentions a club has with you. In the end, your feeling determines whether you want to go to that club,” he said.
“Of course it [Newcastle United] is a beautiful club, like most clubs in England. But it is not obvious that I would choose that club.
“If they do not play European football but the feeling is good, you still want to go. Maybe it is not financially attractive, but they do have a good plan with you and still want you.
“It is hard to say where they have to meet. If I feel good, I would like to make a step. If the feeling is not good, I want to stay at PSV.
Wijnaldum netted 18 times from centre midfielder last season and attracted attention from clubs across Europe, including PSG, Manchester United and bitter rivals Sunderland. Hopefully, his recent comments will encourage the Newcastle board to step up their efforts and get him ‘over the line.’
Comments.
Loading comments…