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Steve McClaren is closing in on Georginio Wijnaldum as his first signing for Newcastle – after the player snubbed a switch to arch-rivals Sunderland, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

Holland international Wijnaldum, who skippers PSV Eindhoven, would cost the Geordies around ­£15million.

McClaren knows all about the ­midfielder from his time coaching in the Dutch league at FC Twente.

And the move will be all the sweeter for Magpies’ fans, as the player is believed to favour them over their old enemies from Wearside.

It is understood that Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat was strongly ­interested in a player who represented their homeland at last year’s World Cup and has 19 caps overall.

But 24-year-old Wijnaldum is more attracted by a possible switch to St James’ Park.

The transfer would be a huge coup for new boss McClaren, who has been given the green light by club owner Mike Ashley to splash the cash this summer.

Sunderland have now turned their attentions to Everton winger Aiden McGeady.

Owner Ellis Short has given Advocaat funds to ­strengthen after he kept them in the top flight and agreed to extend his short-term deal by another season.

(Image: Getty Images)

Both the Dutch coach and Sunderland’s sporting director Lee Congerton are admirers of McGeady and are ready to offer him a move to the north-east.

The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland arrived at Goodison from Russian side Spartak Moscow in 2014.

He had previously spent four years after leaving Celtic, for whom he made almost 200 appearances.