Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is said to be of interest to Newcastle United this summer.
Rafael Benitez’s past comments on Georginio Wijnaldum when he left Newcastle United make for interesting reading, now he has been linked with a return.
According to Takvim, Newcastle are interested in snapping up Wijnaldum from Liverpool this summer.
The attacking midfielder faces a fight for a place with the Reds, and reportedly could be placed up for sale this summer.
And Benitez’s comments about Wijnaldum certainly suggest that he wouldn’t be opposed to having the Dutchman back at St. James’ Park.
“Sometimes players receive massive offers, and it’s very difficult to say no,” Benitez said back in 2016 to the Shields Gazette, after Wijnaldum left Newcastle in a £25 million deal (BBC Sport).
“He was going to a massive club from a team that was relegated to the Championship, and then you have a massive offer from a top side.”
“It’s difficult for a professional, and especially for a foreign player, to say no. I think he was happy here and he appreciated the relationship with the fans.”
“Everything here was fine. He was a happy player. But he had the offer, he went there. I think the fans will say ‘fine, fair enough’. I don’t see any animosity against him because he left. I think the fans will understand.
If Wijnaldum was to return to Newcastle he would improve the quality of the attacking line-up at St. James’ Park.
The 27-year-old scored 11 goals in his first season with Newcastle, and became a popular figure on Tyneside.
Newcastle are understood to be on the look out for new signings this summer, but they are yet to really make a big splash in the transfer market.
The Magpies have brought in three new players so far, with Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Ki Sung-Yeung all arriving.
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