Liverpool agree £25m fee with Newcastle United for Georginio Wijnaldum transfer

Liverpool are close to wrapping up their fifth summer signing after agreeing a £25m ($33m) fee for Georginio Wijnaldum with Newcastle United. Jurgen Klopp is looking to wrap up his summer transfer business before the start of the season after snapping up players in all areas of the pitch. Sadio Mane has arrived to boost his forward ranks, while Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip and Loris Karius have been added to the team to boost the defence.

According to Sky Sports, the Netherlands international midfielder is set to join Liverpool in the coming days after they agreed a fee with the Magpies. He is likely to complete his medical in Merseyside and join the Reds on their tour of the United States. Wijnaldum's arrival could see Joe Allen leave the club, with The Times reporting that Stoke City have submitted a £13m bid to take the Welshman to Britannia Stadium.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle from PSV Eindhoven last summer and played every game in the Premier League in his debut campaign. He ended the season as the Magpies top scorer with 11 goals and five assists and will now boost Liverpool's midfield for the upcoming season.

Apart from the Anfield outfit, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton had also expressed interest, but Klopp's side were the only team to lodge a bid. Rafael Benitez has been reluctant to sell the midfielder, but the player was keen to play at a higher level, rather than fight promotion with Newcastle following their relegation to the Championship in the summer.

"Maybe, you never know," the Newcastle boss said, according to The Chronicle. "Our idea is to keep these players, if it's possible. But we know how football is now and the market and agents. Gini has trained really well, and I'm very happy with him."