Liverpool are close to wrapping up their fifth summer signing after agreeing a £25m ($33m) fee for Georginio Wijnaldum with Newcastle United.
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If all goes as planned, Wijnaldum will fly out to California on Saturday morning before lacing up alongside his new team-mates in the evening training session at Stanford University.
On Monday, reports emerged that Liverpool was set to pick up the Dutch worldwide for just £20 million ($26 million).
“I’ve enjoyed the two games against Fleetwood and Huddersfield. I know him well, he also did well in Brazil”. Because all players can play in different positions, but it’s not always possible to play to their level.
The 49-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 hailed Wijnaldum’s versatility, tactical intelligence, and experience.
“He’s good with the ball and he’s really fit, he can run a lot, he’s quick in making decisions and is a threat for the goal”.
“In Newcastle, he played in midfield, he played a No. 10, he played on right side and left side and he showed his versatility, which was needed”.
However, Klopp is said to greatly admire Wijnaldum’s work ethic – in addition to his technical abilities – and believes he can compete with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane for an attacking position behind the striker.
“I met him and it was good”.
“I am always searching for goals, and creating chances, from any position”. That’s what he brings. That duo should serve Liverpool well with and without the ball, as they can be impact players in defense as well with Klopp’s system. So far fans have been impressed with Newcastle’s activity in the transfer market, and now we’ll see what Benitez does with the money from Liverpool.
Rafael Benitez was keen to hold on to the midfielder as he looks to bring the St James’ Park outfit back to the top-flight at the first time of asking, but the former Eredivisie victor was keen to move away and play at a higher level.
“On working with Jurgen Klopp, he added: “[He seems] a great man – from the outside – because I don’t know how he works yet and I have to work with him.
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“That’s what I want”. It’s not hard to adapt and settle in when people give you the kind of help that I’ve had since I joined Liverpool.
