Liverpool have jumped to the head of the queue in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum and are confident they can strike a deal with Newcastle United this week for the coveted midfielder.

Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool coach, is also closing in on a centre-half having agreed an initial £3.5 million deal for the Estonian Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg.

After being frustrated in his attempt to lure Polish international midfielder Piotr Zielinski from Udinese, Klopp’s attentions have now switched to Wijnaldum.