RONALD KOEMAN is ready to make Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum one of his first signings of the summer – and that looks certain to be for Everton.

Koeman has held talks over becoming the new manager at Goodison Park. He remains with Southampton while both clubs try to come up with a compensation package because he has one year remaining on his contract at St Mary’s.

Koeman had identified Wijnaldum as a player he would like at Southampton before Everton moved for his services, and he will be recommending him to the Toffees’ recruitment team when he is appointed.

Everton have been taken over by Iranian investor Farhad Moshiri and the new manager will be given the financial backing to try to make the club a force in the Premier League.

Wijnaldum only moved to St James’ Park for £14.5m last year and was the team’s leading goalscorer, despite never scoring away from home.

Relegation to the Championship means Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for the majority of players, even though Rafael Benitez has been told he does not have to sell.

Newcastle will be looking to recoup the transfer fee they paid to PSV Eindhoven at least and the Dutch playmaker said: "The coach decides whether he takes me also to Oranje if I play a league lower - but to be honest, I haven’t thought about it.

“Of course I want to play at as high level as possible, in the Premier League, with a beautiful club - but not everything always goes the way you want. I will see what happens.”

Benitez is working on changing the look of the squad inherited from Steve McClaren and he is aware of interest in Andros Townsend.

The winger, who was left out of England's Euro 2016 squad, is targeted by Crystal Palace amid claims he has an £8m clause following relegation.

Benitez will be given the money to reinvest in the squad and he has seen the wage bill reduced following news that Steven Taylor is to follow Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux out of St James’.

Taylor already has options in England and abroad, while Celtic and Rangers are keen. He said: “Who knows? I’m excited for my future. It’s something to look forward to. We’ll play it by ear and take it one day at a time. We’ll not jump the gun.”

Even though Taylor is leaving he is convinced Newcastle are in safe hands having seen how effective Benitez’s work on the training ground can be.

The 30-year-old said: “I think the fans see it for themselves, that kind of aura he brings to the changing room, to the players at the training ground.

“He’s got the fear factor of his office there – you put your head down going past, and you don’t have any joking on. It’s very serious work down at the training ground, very professional.

“He wants the best, he has high standards. He’s worked at top clubs and he knows what works. For us now, I just wish he had had a bit more time. I do honestly believe if he’d had a bit more time, we would have stayed up.

“But Newcastle do 100 percent have the best man for the job, the fans love him. It’s similar to the sort of love we had for Sir Bobby Robson when he was here. Newcastle will hopefully get back to where they should be.”