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Troubling news for Newcastle United fans has emerged over the last 24 hours, and at a time when everything was going so well.

Just hours after their 6-0 demolition of Irish pre-season opponents Bohemians, and a few days before the fixture against Darlington, the media have broken reports that Liverpool are looking close to sealing a deal for Georginio Wijnaldum.

TheTelegraphhave claimed that Jurgen Klopp thinks he can strike a deal for the former PSV Eindhoven star at around £20m, which is significantly less than the £27m that Rafa Benitez has demanded from potential suitors.

This is the deal that will be the biggest blow for Toon fans, even more so than if Frenchman Moussa Sissoko leaves St. James' Park.

Whereas Sissoko has been agitating for a move away from United for the best part of 18 months, Wijnaldum has kept his head down and put in several good performances during his first Premier League campaign.

The 25-year-old hasn't said much during the summer window, and has returned to pre-season training and even scored in that game in Ireland - but now it looks like it could be his last action for the Magpies.

Wijnaldum is an excellent player, even if he went missing during the second half of the relegation campaign. He has a fantastic engine, and works hard for his team throughout the 90 minutes.

The Dutchman also knows where the goal is, as his tally proves, and is good in the air as well as with his feet in and around the box. He's the type of player that could easily take apart teams in the Championship, and that's the most important thing.

If Benitez can keep his best players for the next season, he will do so. There had been a tendency from star players to shirk responsibility prior to Benitez's arrival, but since the Spaniard has come in, those same players have stepped up to the plate, and performed as they should have. Regretfully, however, every player has his price.

If it can be avoided, it should be. If Wijnaldum could stay at St. James' Park, everything should be done to bring that outcome around. However, it seems like the play-maker is going to be off to Liverpool shortly, and that can only bea bad thing.