Despite Newcastle’s improvement in performance during the loss against Leicester and draw with Sunderland, the possibility of relegation still faces them and, should they go down, an exodus of wealthy imports will surely begin, with West Ham being keen on a few, as per the Chronicle.
Uppermost in those who will draw considerable attention for his services is top scorer Georginio Wijnaldum. The £14.5million purchase from PSV has been Newcastle’s attacking lynchpin over the season, notably hitting 4 in a 6-2 blitz of Norwich in October.
Although the 25-year-old has struggled of late, as has the whole team, he still represents a valuable option to both the Magpies and those who are in need of someone like him; bullish, observant, with an eye for flowing attacks.
West Ham are a viable option for Wijnaldum should he wish to go. The Hammers sit well in European contention for next season, possessing attacking instruments of both the visionary and the velocious, with Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio the lynchpins. Plus, the move to the Olympic Stadium would encapsulate Wijanldum within around 80,000 screaming fans – a scenario he surely relishes.
On the other hand, Tottenham are rumoured to be after the Dutchman too (as per the Chronicle). Still in with a huge shout for the Premier League title, Spurs could certainly do with Wijnaldum on their team as an alternative to leading-liner Harry Kane. Though Wijnaldum tends to sit deeper as an attacking threat, he could by all means adapt to being a striker and would ease the pressure on Kane to be fit and playing for 90 minutes at a time. Furthermore, like West Ham, it would mean a return to European competition for Newcastle’s number 5.
But, if Newcastle do survive, expect them to put up a furious fight to keep their Dutch star. A highlight of a very rough season for the club and the investment of a large monetary sum, many would see his time on Tyneside to be unfulfilled as a bright spark that could send Newcastle into the ascendancy under Benitez. The money will be their primary focus should they fail in their attempts to convince him to stay. Though, right now, he seems utterly committed to the St James’ survival mission, tweeting his motivated state ahead of the Tyne-Wear crunch.
