MOUSSA SISSOKO has emerged as a leading contender to replace Steven Gerrard at Anfield, with Liverpool preparing to lodge a £10m offer with Newcastle United.

As Steve McClaren tries to focus on strengthening his squad as the pre-season programme steps up a notch this week, he could soon be forced into a decision over the Magpies’ key midfielder.

Newcastle have edged closer to signing PSV Eindhoven’s Giorginio Wijnaldum – a player The Northern Echo exclusively revealed was being targeted by McClaren on June 13 – after reportedly holding talks with his representatives.

But his arrival could coincide with Sissoko heading out of St James’ Park after Liverpool made contact.

Sources in France claim the 25-year-old is considering his future on Tyneside after a frustrating season in which Newcastle only managed to stay in the Premier League by claiming a win over West Ham on the final day of the campaign.

He is desperate to stay in the France reckoning for the European Championships which are due to be held in his homeland in 11 months time, but Newcastle are in a strong position because of the term remaining on his contract.

Sissoko’s deal does not expire until 2019 and Newcastle stand to make a hefty profit on the £1.8m buy from Toulouse. He has a number of potential suitors, including Arsenal and Manchester United who have both previously been mentioned, but Liverpool are making the biggest noises at this stage.

Unlike Newcastle, the Reds have done the majority of their transfer business already. Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez have all been signed by Brendan Rodgers.

But Rodgers still thinks he needs another midfielder and Sissoko, with his driving runs and power, is seen as the man with the potential to fill the void left by Gerrard and hope to get Sissoko for less than £10m.

McClaren will not sell until he has made progress of his own on the transfer front. He could have added a couple of low-key signings already, but he is keen for his first buy to send out a statement.

And while Newcastle still hope Charlie Austin will sign, Wijnaldum is the likeliest deal at this stage even if there is still work to be done.

It was reported over the weekend in Holland that Newcastle have had preliminary talks with the 24-year-old and he has suggested that he is ready to move on this summer, although Paris St Germain are known to be among those to have expressed an interest.

Wijnaldum hinted earlier in the summer, though, that playing in the Premier League would tempt him. He said: “I speak with Leroy Fer and Tim Krul about England a lot. Tim has been in England since he was 17. He only says good things about England and living in Newcastle.

“You have better players and teams in England and for myself it is better to play in a better league against better players.”

Zenit St Petersburg had an £8m offer rejected earlier this year and PSV are holding out for £15m as he is under contract for a further three years.

Wijnaldum and Austin are the two marquee signings McClaren wants the most, although Bordeaux’s 22-year-old striker Diego Rolan is also in Newcastle’s thinking along with Anderlecht’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have admitted that they are trying to sign former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye from PSG. Cabaye will team up with Alan Pardew again if Palace pull off the signing.