Newcastle Reportedly Beat Everton to Dutch Midfielder

Newcastle United have been in the hunt for Netherlands international midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for some time now. When the Magpies failed to agree personal terms with neither the player nor with his club PSV Eindhoven earlier today, Everton jumped in with a formal offer.

While the Blues could use additional midfield depth considering Gareth Barry is not getting any younger, Darron Gibson is not getting any fitter, and Muhamed Besic is not getting any playing time under Roberto Martinez, there is also growing speculation that James McCarthy could on his way to Tottenham and the Dutchman would be a decent replacement.

Wijnaldum comes highly recommended, and despite his slight frame, at 24 years of age he represents a worthwhile investment. In four years of play in the Dutch Eredivisie, he has scored 63 goals in 220 appearances. He has 19 senior caps with 3 goals, but has featured prominently in Netherlands youth teams as well. He usually plays in an attacking midfield role, but is right-footed and has played right wing too. Remarkably, he has never received a red card in his career.

Latest reports now have it that PSV and Newcastle have agreed on a £16 million fee for the player to head to St. James's Park to play under Steve McLaren. While still unconfirmed, it looks like Everton have once again been foiled in the transfer market by either West Ham or Newcastle.