Liverpool may have found a way around Georginio Wijnaldum’s massive £25million price tag.
The Newcastle midfielder is wanted by the Reds, but they are understandably reluctant to spend such a huge fee on a player now set to ply his trade in the Championship.
According to the Telegraph, Magpies boss Rafael Benitez has found a way around the stalemate by asking Liverpool to include Lucas Leiva as part of the deal.
Leiva is one of several players who has been told to find a new club by Jurgen Klopp, so it’s hardly as if the Reds would be reluctant to let him go.
The Brazilian played under Benitez at Anfield and could now face a reunion with his former boss in the north-east, with the Spaniard even set to make him captain to tempt him to St James’ Park.
Skipper Fabricio Coloccini has gone back to Argentina, leaving the armband vacant, and Leiva definitely has the experience to take it on.
If he does join Newcastle, Liverpool may have to pay around £5million less for Wijnaldum, and that would make the signing a far more attractive proposition.
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