Newcastle set to open talks for 25-year-old midfielder, date planned for meeting - report

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Published on:

15 Jun 2016, 6:18 am

By Harry Sykes

Roma are set to meet Newcastle for talks about signing Georginio Wijnaldum, according to a report.

The Serie A club have registered an interest in the attacking midfielder even though the Magpies have slapped a staggering £30million price-tag placed on him.

Sky Sports cite a story by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday in which they claim Wijnaldum has given the green light to a move to the Stadio Olimpico.

It is said officials from the Serie A club will fly to England to hold talks with their counterparts from St James' Park about a £12million deal for the player.

Wijnaldum became the third-biggest signing in Newcastle's history when he joined from PSV Eindhoven last summer for £14.7million.

The Holland international, 25, was a regular starter for most of his debut season at St. James’ Park, scoring 11 times from his attacking midfield position while playing in all 38 Premier League games.

However, he was a substitute for a number of matches at the end of the season as he lost the faith of manager Rafael Benitez to lead the team's survival bid.

The Chronicle, citing a number of reports from around Europe, report that Newcastle have accepted that departures are inevitable this summer and that Wijnaldum represents one the Magpies’ most-saleable assets. There is also interest in the player from West Ham and Everton.

Benitez has said Newcastle do not need to sell their players cheaply as they are in a strong financial position despite their relegation from the Premier League.

With Holland failing to qualify for Euro 2016, there is little to stop negotiations taking place in the coming days over Wijnaldum’s transfer.

In other Newcastle news, Hamburg have been informed they will need to improve their bid for a 26-year-old Magpies player.

Newcastle United

Georginio Wijnaldum