Report: Rafa Benitez looking to rival Newcastle for £300k-a-week ace on loan

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90Min report that Everton gaffer Rafa Benitez is ready to battle his old side Newcastle in the race to sign PSG midfielder Gini Wijnaldum on loan in January – with the midfielder expected to go.

Wijnaldum, 31, joined PSG in the summer on a free transfer from Liverpool. The Reds failed to strike an agreement with the 85-time Netherlands international – and he moved to Paris for nothing.

Since then, he has failed to break into the starting line-up under Mauricio Pochettino on a regular basis. He has made 20 appearances in all competitions – but has only started 10 times, completing 90 minutes on just four occasions.

Newcastle want to bring Wijnaldum back and have the financial power to offer a deal with an “enticing structure”. However, Newcastle face competition from Benitez – who wants to take him to Everton.

Newcastle or Everton: Wijnaldum arguably best to remain at PSG

Wijnaldum is still getting a decent amount of game time at PSG and all it will take for him to break into the starting XI, is an injury, or a slight tweak to formation. He has started plenty this season.

With that, Wijnaldum is likely to win the Ligue 1 title – with PSG clear by 11 points, winning 13 of their 17 league games. They are also a contender for the Champions League trophy.

Surely, Wijnaldum would rather be in and out of the PSG side and challenge for those titles, rather than playing in a relegation scrap for Newcastle – or in mid-table with Everton.