Georginio Wijnaldum’s time at Newcastle United could soon be up, with several reports strongly linking the Magpies’ top scorer last season with a move to Italy.
Many news outlets, including the Express and talkSport, are tipping AS Roma to be the most likely destination for Wijnaldum this summer, who looks set to depart Newcastle after the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Football Italia have also reported that Napoli are interested in the 25-year-old.
Many of the reports said any potential move to Roma would depend on the future of Miralem Pjanic with the Bosnian tipped to leave for Juventus, and Roma would look to Newcastle’s Dutch midfielder as a replacement.
Yesterday, Pjanic’s move to Juventus was confirmed, meaning that Roma’s reported interest in Wijnaldum could gather pace in the coming days.
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The Dutchman only joined Newcastle last summer from PSV Eindhoven, and had an inconsistent first campaign on Tyneside. He netted 10 goals for the club, but with all of them coming at St. James’ Park, and often looked out-of-sorts away from home.
Wijnaldum has often avoided talking about his future to the press in recent weeks, but it is unlikely to imagine that last year’s Dutch Footballer of the Year would be fond of the idea of playing Championship football next season.
Regardless, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has made it clear that he is under no pressure to sell any of his players should he see them as part of his plans.
But, should the €18m figure being mentioned come through as a formal offer for Wijnaldum, that may be enough to allow him to move on.
