Newcastle United are reportedly interested in re-signing Georginio Wijnaldum on loan from PSG, with the 31-year-old midfielder open to a return to St. James’ Park.
According to Fichajes, Newcastle United are eyeing a sensational reunion for midfielder Gini Wijnaldum from Paris Saint-Germain on a short-term loan, with the 31-year-old on top of Magpies priority shortlist.
Newcastle earned a deserved point in their 1-1 draw against Manchester United. However, with the Tyneside outfit still languishing in the relegation drop zone despite having played more games than their relegation rivals, the January transfer window could not come at a better time for the Toon.
Having conceded a league-high 42 goals, the Magpies’ priorities in the winter market are to strengthen in defence and central midfield, with Howe keen to make radical changes to the spine of his team. The former Bournemouth manager understands the need to add experienced leaders to their ranks as they strive to retain their Premier League status, and the PSG midfielder would be a valuable asset.
Despite only arriving at Parc des Princes in the summer, Wijnaldum is said to be looking for a way out of Paris after finding opportunities scarce under Mauricio Pochettino. The Dutch maestro has failed to reproduce his success at Anfield, where he established himself as one of the world’s finest box-to-box operators.
Wijnaldum has started just nine Ligue 1 games for PSG since the start of the campaign, with the likes of Danilo Pereira, Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera often being preferred in the engine room by Pochettino. In total, he has made 22 appearances in all competitions for PSG this term, notching three goals and one assist.
With the World Cup coming up next year, the player wants regular football at club level and is edging towards the exit door, with a return to England’s top-flight his preferred choice. Arsenal, Tottenham, and West Ham have all been offered a shot to sign the former Newcastle United and Liverpool midfielder.
However, newly-rich Newcastle appear to be the frontrunners to land their former star. The Dutchman enjoyed an impressive tenure with the Magpies, having joined from Dutch outfit PSV in 2015, scoring 11 goals in 40 appearances before sealing a move to Liverpool.
With Jonjo Shelvey the only in-form midfielder at the moment, Newcastle are a bit light on quality options in the middle of the park. Isaac Hayden is more defensive-minded, while Joe Willock is more of a No. 10 than a central midfielder. They lack a midfield option capable of contributing in both offensive and defensive departments.
Newcastle could do with someone of Wijnaldum’s world-class pedigree. A smooth operator with a decent physical presence, he is tenacious and provides calmness by effectively shielding the backline while also having the energy to go on lung-busting forward runs and offer a box-to-box presence.
The player’s astronomical wages do not seem to be a problem and he himself is believed to be open to a return to Newcastle. However, the sensational return to St. James’ Park is unlikely to happen, with PSG reluctant to let Wijnaldum leave in January, especially with Idrissa Gueye due to depart for the African Cup of Nations.
