Koeman’s battle to capture Wijnaldum

EVERTON manager Ronald Koeman is keen to sign Newcastle’s attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and is determined to beat Tottenham to his signature.

Newcastle have not received an offer for the Dutchman, 25, who they value at £27million but Koeman will try to construct a deal with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri that could also include signing another of his countrymen, Tim Krul. The goalkeeper is recovering from a knee injury and been made available by Newcastle.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino also admires Wijnaldum, who scored 11 goals last season despite relegation. But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy considers £25m as over-priced for a player who cost £13m from Anderlecht a year ago.

Koeman also wants a winger, holding midfielder and right-back and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is an alternative at centre-half should John Stones leave for Manchester City, as expected. Senegal international Koulibaly is also a target for Chelsea.

Koeman would be interested in a reunion with his former Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin but the player is keen to see how his Manchester United career fares under new boss Jose Mourinho.

If Spurs refuse to meet the asking price for Wijnaldum, Barcelona’s Cristian Tello is regarded as a decent value-for-money alternative. Tello, 25, worked under Pochettino at Espanyol.

As manager Rafa Benitez prepares for a season of Championship football with Newcastle, he hopes to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley.

Newcastle have offered £5.5m for Hanley but this has been matched by Norwich, who were also relegated last season.

Blackburn want £6m for their captain and expect Newcastle to make another bid this week.

Newcastle have also asked about Tom Lees at Sheffield Wednesday, who is a target for promoted Burnley, and Fulham’s Fernando Amorebieta.

Hanley was left out of yesterday’s hour-long friendlies between Blackburn, Morecambe and Bury.

Former Bolton midfielder Neil Danns is training with Bury.