Wijnaldum A Step Closer To Everton Move?

Last updated : 07 June 2016 By Footy Mad - Editor

Image result for Georginio Wijnaldum

The Northern Echo say that Koeman is ready to make Newcastle United's Georginio Wijnaldum one of his first signings of the summer – and that looks certain to be for Everton.

The report claims Koeman had identified Wijnaldum as a player he would like at Southampton before Everton moved for his services, and he will be recommending him to the Blues recruitment team when he is appointed.

Wijnaldum only moved to St James’ Park for £14.5million last year and was the team’s leading goalscorer, despite never scoring away from home.

Relegation to the Championship means Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for the majority of players, even though Rafael Benitez has been told he does not have to sell.

Newcastle will be looking to at least recoup the transfer fee they paid to PSV Eindhoven and Wijnaldum said: "The coach decides whether he takes me also to Oranje (the Dutch national team) if I play a league lower - but to be honest, I haven’t thought about it.

“Of course I want to play at as high level as possible, in the Premier League, with a beautiful club - but not everything always goes the way you want. I will see what happens.”

The Mirror says that Koeman's first task at Goodison will be to try and persuade Romelu Lukaku and John Stones to stay.

The Dutchman’s ability to manage without splashing huge funds in the transfer market was an additional bonus – but he’s been assured by Moshiri he will be given a sizeable war chest this summer.

More crucially, he was assured that Everton don’t intend to be a selling club and will do all they can to keep their best players.

That’s the immediate issue facing new boss Koeman with both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Barcelona all keeping close tabs on £40million-rated Stones while Lukaku has been vocal throughout the summer about his own future.