Georginio Wijnaldum Says "Newcastle Still Need To Come In" As He Flirts With PSG

Wijnaldum hasn't ruled out a move to Tyneside, but he's already started glancing towards PSG.

By Chris Waugh / July 7, 2015

Newcastle United target Georginio Wijnaldum has refused to rule out a move to Tyneside - claiming the Magpies "still need to come in" for him because Paris Saint-Germain is the only "concrete" offer currently on the table. PSV Eindhovens technical director Marcel Brands claimed on the clubs official website on Monday that the Dutch side have received no bids for their captain, although Newcastle remain confident a deal can be done. Despite Wijnaldum openly admitting that PSG would be an interesting move - and that remaining at PSV this summer is not completely out of the question - he did not fully rule out a move to St James' Park, calling English sides a "beautiful clubs".

The Magpies are poised to beat Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and their bitter rivals Sunderland to the signature of Dutch international Wijnaldum - but they may need to pay £15 million-plus to secure the deal. In quotes attributed to FOX Sports and carried by soccernews, Wijnaldum said:

"You need to know what intentions a club (has for) you, they need you to do very much. In the end, you feel determined whether you want to go to that club. "Of course it's (Manchester United is) a beautiful club, like most clubs in England. But it is not obvious that you would choose for that club. If I'm feeling good at do, I will make my choice. "Yet it is not illogical when people think that the difference between PSG and Newcastle be very large. "Yes, it can. Everyone has their opinion about that. But what is too low? It's a different league of course. You can always improve yourself in such clubs. "But of course there is a difference between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle. PSG was very concrete (with an offer) and then with Newcastle still needs to come in (with a bid). "It would certainly be no punishment to stay at PSV. I feel good here and the people are good for me. "PSV every year for the championship and now goes Champions League games, so that would definitely not be a punishment."

Furthermore, speaking to journalists at PSV Eindhoven training on Monday, Wijnaldum was coy about his future, refusing to be drawn on whether a transfer was close. He said (quotes from voetbal.com):

Much is called and written a lot, the media find it more exciting than I do, but as long as it is not specific, I focus on with PSV. When things go play then I hear it from my agent and then I think about it and make a decision, not now.

Paul Post, a Dutch journalist, also tweeted quotes from Wijnaldum on his future:

Still nothing concrete (as to where Ill end up), (my) focus (from) now on on (is with) PSV and then (Ill) see if there are still what is going to happen.

Newcastle remain confident they can entice the 24-year-old to St James Park due to their extensive connections in Holland, as well as their willingness to pay Wijnaldum £60,000 a week, whatculture.com/nufc understands. In a post on their official website, PSV stated: Marcel Brands says, however, no bids have been received on (for) for the captain (Wijnaldum). Despite Brands protestations to the contrary, advanced talks are ongoing between the Magpies and the Dutch club and an agreement is close - with Wijnaldum potentially flying to Tyneside later this week to undergo a medical if the discussions prove fruitful. In fact, Wijnaldum did not appear during PSVs pre-season friendly against SV Dosko over the weekend - and was not even included in the matchday squad as speculation about his future intensifies. Last month Wijnaldum flirted with the possibility of joining PSG, while Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal is known to be a huge fan, but it appears that Newcastle will complete a £15 million move for the midfielder - if they are willing to stump up the cash to PSV. Wijnaldum has already been capped 18 times by Holland, scoring twice, and is regarded as one of the most-promising players in Europe due to the fact he has a habit of regularly finding the back of the net. Wijnaldum has already won three trophies with PSV and has made 152 appearances, scoring an impressive 56 times from midfield and contributing 23 assists, since moving there from Feyenoord in 2011. The midfielder also netted for Holland during the 3-0 third-place play-off win over Brazil at last years World Cup. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.