Georginio Wijnaldum in Barcelona? This is what the Catalan leaders thought a few hours ago. According to various sources, the 30-year-old Dutch international midfielder had indeed agreed with Barça two weeks ago and the medical visit was even scheduled in the Netherlands. Except that PSG entered the dance, as
ESPN
indicated on
Saturday, and offered a much higher offer. Enough to turn the head of the Liverpool player, free this summer. According to Fabrizio Romano and many other sources, Georginio Wijnaldum has definitely turned his back on FC Barcelona and agreed to sign in favor of the vice-champion of France. We are talking about a three-year contract.
PSG offered Wijnaldum more than doubled salary and Gini accepted during the night.
Pochettino called him many times in the last 56 hours.
PSG now working on next steps - medicals in too.
PSG want Gini to sign the contract as soon as possible after his Barça-deal turnaround.
https://t.co/HOs6YcGsPA
- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2021
Last but not least, Mauricio Pochettino would have actively participated in this seduction operation in the form of a robbery, making many phone calls to this player he had coveted when he was officiating at Tottenham.
Which suggests that the Argentinian technician is more than ever concerned by the Parisian recruitment while some media have announced him leaving or at least eager to leave the Parc des Princes ...
The profile that PSG lacked
If the same Catalan media and supporters who considered him a superb rookie a few days ago now pass him off as an old mercenary, Georginio Wijnaldum, who will be 31 in November, represents a great blow for PSG. trained at Feyenoord and passed by PSV, he joined England and Newcastle in 2011 before signing for Liverpool in 2016, where he played 267 matches (22 years old) and notably won the Champions League in 2019 in the Premier League in 2020. A reliable, regular and experienced player. Above all, it is exactly the profile that Paris-SG lacked, a midfielder not afraid of defensive efforts but technically fine and able to bring the ball out under pressure. He can both play with and instead of Marco Verratti,he who has scored 22 goals in 75 appearances in Oranje. If he scored less with the Reds than in his previous clubs, with for example 56 goals in 154 matches in Eindhoven, it is because he was playing lower.
Georginio Wijnaldum's impact in Liverpool
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp spoke of a “wonderful player” at the end of the season, already regretting the player he debauched five years ago for just under € 30 million. “We first played against him. The first time I met him was in my living room at home, because I had to see him, talk to him. From the first moment, we got along very well. He is very friendly, very intelligent, very open and who has never changed, he just got better. It's very emotional for me because I lose a friend, I'm going to miss him, but that's how it is… In football, that's the kind of thing that happens. It is not always pleasant, but it is normal. I'm sure he'll find a great place. Clubs that are interested in him should call me and ask me about him. After that, they will take it, that's for sure ”,smiles the German coach.
Congrats @ GWijnaldum # WeTheWave # NEDGEOpic.twitter.com / hA6ydSI4ab
- OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 6, 2021
It's a safe bet that Pochettino, Leonardo and company did not need to meet with Klopp to be convinced ... In the meantime, Gini Wijnaldum is actively preparing for Euro 2020 (June 11-July 11) with the team From the Netherlands.
Placed in Group C, the Oranje will face Ukraine (June 13), Austria (June 17) and North Macedonia (June 21) successively at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
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