7 Liverpool players who could join Newcastle on loan as part of Gini Wijnaldum deal

Wijnaldum’s move to Anfield has been held up while the two clubs try to agree on how the fee will be paid, with Newcastle favouring all the money up front.

And reports today suggest that the Magpies may now take a Reds player on a season-long loan as part of the deal.

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez knows Liverpool well, of course, having won the Champions League with the club and also still living on Merseyside.

And he is understood to have a good relationship with Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.

Newcastle have been linked with a number of Liverpool players. Here’s a few options as to who they could take on loan.

Jon Flanagan

The right-back hasn’t travelled with Liverpool on their pre-season trip to the US as he mulls over a loan move to Burnley.

The 23-year-old returned from a serious injury last season and Klopp is believed to want him to go out on loan to get more games under his belt.

With doubts over Daryl Janmaat’s future still lingering, the England international could be a defensive option for Benitez.

Lucas Leiva

Has been linked with a reunion with his former manager Benitez.

The defensive midfielder has slipped down the pecking order at Liverpool, but may be reluctant to drop into the Championship and has been linked with a move to Galatasary.

Andre Wisdom

The versatile defender can play at right-back or even centre-half.

He spent last season on loan at Norwich City and looks set to leave Anfield again this summer.

The 23-year-old has been mentioned as a possible target for his former boss Brendan Rodgers, now at Celtic.

Tiago Ilori

The Portuguese centre-half has been watched by Sunderland in the past, and spent the first half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, but failed to make an appearance.

A £7million signing from Sporting, he isn’t part of Klopp’s plans and has been given permission to join Portugal’s Olympic squad in Rio this summer.

Ryan Kent

The talented winger made 17 appearances on loan at Coventry City last season, alongside Newcastle starlet Adam Armstrong.

He has been linked with loan moves to Barnsley, Bristol City and MK Dons this summer and looks certain to be allowed out on a temporary basis to gain more experience.

Sheyi Ojo

The England Under-19 attacker has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle already this summer, with Benitez believed to be a fan of the player.

Liverpool signed him from MK Dons for a reported £2million when he was just 14 years old, and he has spent time on loan in the Championship with Wigan and Wolves.

Klopp handed Ojo his Premier League debut last season, and he started their 4-1 win over Stoke.

Mario Balotelli

Surplus to requirements at Liverpool – would Benitez be willing to take a gamble on the mercurial Italian?

Balotelli spent last season on loan at AC Milan and has no future at Anfield.