Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure from Newcastle United has been greeted with a mixed reaction among the Geordie faithful.

Some feel he should have been kept, while others believe that £25m for a player who went missing after Christmas (and all season away from home) was too good to turn down.

Wijnaldum is a talented player – there’s no denying that. You don’t just score 11 goals in your first Premier League season by accident.

The problem is, he didn’t really want to be here. Even though he wasn’t making it as public as Sissoko, he always was trying to engineer a move away from the club.

Rafa will need every single player fully committed to the cause if we are to achieve promotion, so, in that sense, Wijnaldum’s departure is good for both Newcastle and Liverpool.

With his move all but confirmed, here are five prime candidates to replace him.

 

Alex Pritchard

Last season was one to forget for Pritchard. The young Englishman was hoping to break into the Tottenham first team, but a long-term injury he suffered in pre-season prevented him from doing that. In January, he was sent out on loan to West Brom to get some first-team action, but he never got a consistent run in the team and failed to make an impact. That being said, he did have a very good loan spell at Brentford a couple of years ago when he scored 12 and assisted 7 in a season where he helped The Bees finish 5th.

Spurs have reportedly made him available for £8m, and with Pritchard still only 23, being able to play both through the middle and out wide, and having experience of a Championship promotion push, he would be an ideal replacement for Wijnaldum.

Fernando Forestieri

Forestieri is coming off of a magnificent season for Sheffield Wednesday in which he scored 15 and assisted six. The diminutive midfielder was arguably the best player in the Championship last term, having played a crucial part in Wednesday’s promotion push – one which came up just short as they lost 1-0 to Hull in the playoff final at Wembley.

Being only 26, the Argentine still has his best years ahead of him and would be a fantastic signing. Whether Sheffield Wednesday are willing to sell to a promotion rival remains to be seen.

Alan Judge

Another player who is coming off of the best season in his career is Alan Judge. The Irishman scored 14 and assisted 11 for Brentford last term and has been playing in England’s lower divisions for the majority of his career. In January, Judge was reportedly angry with Brentford for not allowing him to move but remained professional and continued playing for The Bees. Now with only a year left on his contract and having missed out on a playoff slot last season, Brentford could be tempted to cash in on their prized asset.

Victor Moses

Towards the end of the season, Rafa played Gini on the left wing rather than through the middle, believing he could make a bigger impact out wide. If that is the case, then he may look to bring in a winger to replace him. Victor Moses is the perfect replacement if that is the case.

Moses is a quick, powerful, and direct winger. Having been constantly sent out on loan throughout his Chelsea career, the Nigerian may have come to terms with the fact he doesn’t have a future at Stamford Bridge. If Moses is not a part of Conte’s plans, he may be available for a knockdown price.

Anthony Knockaert

If Rafa is indeed looking at wingers, he should definitely consider Anthony Knockaert. The Frenchman is arguably the Championship’s best winger and has bags of ability. Similar to Ben Arfa in that he’s able to create something out of nothing.

Knockaert is still only 24, as well, and has time to become an even better player. Will Brighton sell to a promotion rival, though? Time will tell.

Notable mentions (including squad players who can be bought in addition): Tom Ince, Jason Puncheon, Will Hughes, Joe Ralls, Harry Bunn, Tom Cairney

Rafa will obviously have different players he knows from different countries that he believes can improve the squad. These are just some players who I could think of who I believe would be good additions.

Let me know in the comments below if there’s anybody I didn’t mention who you would get to replace Gini.