Newcastle's Chief Transfer Target Is Coy Over Proposed Move

Newcastle United target Georginio Wijnaldum has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move to Tyneside - insisting the media finds the potential deal more "exciting" than he does. PSV Eindhoven €™s technical director Marcel Brands has also claimed on the club€™s official website that the Dutch side have received €œno bids€ for their captain, although Newcastle remain confident a deal can be done. 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.

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 I'll end up), (my) focus (from) now on on (is with) PSV and then (I'll) 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 state: €œMarcel 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. https://twitter.com/paulpostman/status/618021543378067456 In fact, Wijnaldum did not appear during PSV€™s pre-season friendly against SV Dosko - 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. Reports had claimed that the Black Cats had launched an £11 million bid for Wijnaldum last month, only for those to be rubbished - before suggestions were made that Sunderland were not actually interested in the midfielder at all. 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. Both Newcastle and Sunderland would hope to negotiate down the £15 million fee, with Liverpool also interested, but if PSG and Man Utd do up their pursuit of Wijnaldum then the bidding process could go through the roof. 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 year€™s World Cup. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.