For a few days at least, Georginio Wijnaldum looked set to swap Liverpool for Barcelona. It would have been a fine career move for the free agent, but, as is known to happen in football, there was another twist in the tale.
Now, everything has changed. Wijnaldum has snubbed the glitz and the glamour at the Camp Nou for the swanky City of Lights and Paris Saint-Germain. The hefty wage package played its part, of course, as did Mauricio Pochettino.
Georginio Wijnaldum has just signed his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, confirmed and done deal. Medicals pending in the next hours then it’ll be official. Agreement until June 2024. 🇳🇱✍🏻
Gini changed his mind yesterday – he’s not joining Barça and he’s now a new PSG player. https://t.co/HOs6YcGsPA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2021
The furore over the coach’s future at the club appears to be over for now, and he duly stepped in over the weekend to convince Wijnaldum to choose his team instead. He is due to sign a three-year deal, pending a medical.
Wijnaldum, who is part of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2020, made 237 appearances for Liverpool, where he won the Premier League and Champions League.
PSG are continuing talks with Everton over a deal for Moise Kean. The striker spent last season on loan at PSG, scoring 13 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances, and the French club would like to extend that arrangement. Everton want to appoint Carlo Ancelotti’s successor as manager before deciding on Kean’s future.
Barcelona are now offering Memphis Depay a contract until June 2024. Three years improved agreement on the table in order to complete the deal ‘as soon as possible’, to avoid another turnaround after Gini Wijnaldum changed his mind to join PSG. 🔴🇳🇱 #FCB #Barça
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2021
Barcelona’s experience with Wijnaldum has prompted them to offer Memphis Depay, another free agent and member of the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 squad, an improved contract to 2024 in the hope that they do not miss out.
Barcelona have secured deals for Sergio Agüero, Eric García and Emerson Royal over recent days.
