Spurs drop out of the running for Newcastle’s Georginio Wijnaldum

Tottenham Hotspur have apparently ended their interest in Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to a report today from the Mirror.

Wijnaldum reportedly became a target for Spurs last week after it was revealed that Mauricio Pochettino was still in the market for another attacking midfielder. Wijnaldum, who scored 11 goals and tallied five assists for Newcastle last season, looked like a prized and easily obtainable target after Toon was relegated at the end of last season.

However, Newcastle appeared to be playing hardball with Wijnaldum’s fee. Toon reportedly was asking £25m for Gini, a significant profit over what they paid for him just last season. That’s apparently too rich for Spurs’ blood, and the Mirror says they’ve moved on to other targets (“other targets” apparently being Georges-Kevin N’Koudou). Which they probably should’ve — £25m is way too much money for a guy who was good but not stellar in the EPL last season, considering Spurs bought a Bundesliga star in Son Heung-Min for less than that just last summer.

It’s hard to blame Newcastle for trying to milk all the money they can out of whatever club ends up signing Wijnaldum, especially considering the amount of Premier League TV money that’s been floating around. The fact that the club in question is probably going to be Liverpool makes it even better. The Mirror doesn’t say what Liverpool might pay for him, but the Telegraph says they’re “confident” that they can land him.

Liverpool paying £20m or more for Wijnaldum would be the most Liverpool thing ever. I almost of hope it happens now.