Newcastle United told to re-sign Georginio Wijnaldum as transfer decision close – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Georginio Wijnaldum could be the “missing cog” in the Newcastle attack as he prepares to make a decision on his Paris Saint-Germain future.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 31-year-old could strike up a “formidable” partnership with big-money addition Bruno Guimaraes.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano (via his CaughtOffside column on 6 June), Wijnaldum will make a decision on his future at PSG when the French club’s managerial situation is resolved.
He claims the midfielder has planned talks with incoming sporting director Luis Campos.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year (11 January) that Newcastle had registered an interest in taking Wijnaldum on loan for the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.
However, the Netherlands international rebuffed a move as he was not interested in joining a team battling relegation.
Whelan insisted Newcastle’s front men would “relish” the opportunity to benefit from Wijnaldum’s quality.
“He’s a fantastic player and I was very surprised when he left Liverpool,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He is one of these players who can play that attacking midfield role better than most.
“If Newcastle can go back in for him and get him next to Bruno Guimaraes – that’s a pretty formidable midfield. There is lots of experience and international quality in there.
“I think he could be that missing cog. He could provide the quality and creativity that Newcastle’s front men will relish.”
Wijnaldum started just 18 league games for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2021-22 season.
The midfield star was omitted from Louis van Gaal’s latest Netherlands squad.
In other news, Newcastle United pull plug on £60million deal for Bundesliga star.