NEWCASTLE UNITED are ready to offer Giorginio Wijnaldum £3m a year at St James’ Park after an agreement was reached with PSV Eindhoven for their highly-sought after captain.

The Magpies have stepped up their interest in the Holland international within the last few days and managing director Lee Charnley flew over to Eindhoven to reach an agreement over a £15m fee.

Now Wijnaldum, who The Northern Echo exclusively revealed was one of McClaren’s leading targets for the first time on June 13, is expected to head for Tyneside to discuss the finer details of the move and decide his future.

There is other interest from the Premier League and abroad, which would offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League. So far, though, no other club has even got close to offering the £15m which Newcastle are prepared to pay.

Everton are also interested and are thought to be preparing an offer to rival what Newcastle have bid so far.

Wijnaldum is seen by Roberto Martinez, the Toffees boss, as an improvement to Everton’s forward play particularly with Kevin Mirallas interesting a number of clubs.

In an interesting twist to the whole saga, deals for Wijnaldum and Mirallas would have a knock on effect which could see Stewart Downing head for Middlesbrough, but McClaren is not interested in that.

Rotterdam-born Wijnaldum, 24, started his career with hometown club Feyenoord before moving to PSV where he won the Eredivisie title, He was part of the Dutch squad last summer which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, scoring in the third place play-off in Brazil.

The Newcastle head coach just wants to see results on the recruitment from after a month without a breakthrough since agreeing to take over from John Carver after leaving Derby County at the end of last season.

Newcastle have been unable to persuade Queens Park Rangers to part with Charlie Austin for less than the £15m asking price. The striker is leaning towards Newcastle, but higher offers from Leicester are complicating the switch.

Newcastle have had two teenagers on trial. Dani Koks, who has been on the books with Ajax, and Newcastle-born Callum Douglas, who has been playing for Elche’s youth team in Spain, played for Dave Watson’s academy team against Corby Town, who won 3-2.

There will be no Tyneside return for former captain Yohan Cabaye. The Frenchman, looking for a return to the Premier League after a frustrating 18 months with Paris St Germain, is on the verge of being reunited with Alan Pardew.

Crystal Palace have agreed a £10m fee, rising to £13m with add-ons.