Liverpool have joined the battle for Newcastle United attacker Gini Wijnaldum.

The Mirror says Liverpool are preparing a bid for the Dutchman.

Wijnaldum is not ready to spend a season in English football's second tier and has already asked for a move away from St James' Park.

The 26-year-old joined Newcastle in a £14.5m deal from PSV Eindhoven last summer.

And he was a rare shining light in a dismal campaign for the north east outfit last term, scoring 11 goals in his 38 top flight appearances.