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Liverpool Target Newcastle’s Wijnaldum

The Reds are interested in signing the 25-year-old, who is reportedly also a target for Tottenham and registered 11 goals and five assists during his debut Premier League season

Jurgen Klopp has distinguished Newcastle’s Georginio Wijnaldum as an alternative midfield target for Liverpool following the club’s frustration in the pursuit of both Piotr Zielinski and Mahmoud Dahoud.

Goal revealed on Saturday that the Poland international, whom the Reds have been closely monitoring since January but found discussions with Udinese impossible, will join AC Milan.

Dahoud, meanwhile, is set to remain at Borussia Monchengladbach for 2016-17, as the Bundesliga outfit are unwilling to let him leave despite Liverpool being prepared to offer upwards of £25 million for the German starlet.

That has led Klopp to Wijnaldum, who is strong in the dribble, and registered 11 goals and five assists in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool and Newcastle are still in the price negotiation phase, but it is understood it would take between £15-20m to land the Dutch international. Rafael Benitez’s side will push for the most sizeable fee possible, but the Merseysiders are hopeful a fair fee can be agreed.

The 25-year-old’s attack-mindedness appeals to Klopp, as does his versatility. He can operate centrally, or off either side and has also been deployed as a deep-lying player.

Wijnaldum’s ability to make penetrating runs, his reading of space and his speed of feet as well as thought have all been noted.

He got the better of Liverpool’s backline in 2015-16, as well as that of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham.

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