Liverpool: Sixth summer arrival imminent; Brannagan latest; Stoke make offer for midfielder

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Liverpool are close to adding a sixth new face to their squad this summer after agreeing a transfer fee with Newcastle United for the services of 25-year-old Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

The transfer will cost Liverpool up to £25 million, including add-ons relating to the success that Wijnaldum enjoys on Merseyside. He joins Marko Grujic, Joel Matip (both signed in January before joining up this summer), Loris Karius, Sadio Mane and Ragnar Klavan as Jurgen Klopp’s new signings, and takes the club’s summer spending total to over £60 million.

Wijnaldum was relegated with Newcastle last season, but still managed to impress with 11 goals and five assists for the struggling Magpies. Questions have been asked about his attitude and willingness to fight for the side in a relegation battle, but his technical ability is undoubted, and Liverpool have secured the services of a very good player.

It remains to be seen how Wijnaldum will fit into the team, although some indication may be given on Liverpool’s upcoming tour of the USA. Traditionally an attacking midfielder, the former PSV captain has also played from the wings and even in a deeper role, despite not being the strongest defensively.

The versatile Wijnaldum’s ability to play across the midfield will come in useful for Klopp, who looks as if he may be about to lose a midfielder in the shape of Joe Allen after Liverpool accepted a bid of £13 million from Stoke City for the Wales international.

Considering that Allen arrived at Liverpool for £15 million four years ago, losing money is a sad reflection on the fact that his time at Anfield never really worked out. Perhaps the tag of the “Welsh Xavi” unfairly followed Allen around during his four years on Merseyside, and just eight starts in the last season reflect that the signing wasn’t a great fit.

Allen’s performances at the Euros, where he made the official team of the tournament, show that he is a fine footballer, and should he complete his move to Stoke City, will be a great success at the newly renamed Bet365 Stadium. His tidy passing and control in midfield, alongside the rampaging Giannelli Imbula, could be a fantastic signing for Stoke.

Finally, a loan move for 20-year-old midfielder Cameron Brannagan may be off after Wigan Athletic failed to guarantee that he would play in 75% of the Latics’ matches. The clause, which is designed to ensure that loan spells result in an improvement of their young players, has proved a stumbling block for Wigan, who also had a £1 million bid for Brannagan turned down last month.

With Marko Grujic and Georginio Wijnaldum arriving, Brannagan’s chances of breaking into the first team this season look fairly slim, and a loan move would be beneficial for his career. He will not get much time on the pitch to improve at Anfield, so the club will hope that the stumbling block with Wigan is overcome quickly and the deal can go ahead.

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