Georginio Wijnaldum has reached an agreement to join Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal when his Liverpool contract expires.
Paris Saint-Germain have made an official statement to confirm that they have secured the services of Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a three-year deal running through to June 30, 2024. The 30-year-old will formally complete the transfer on July 1, once his contract with Liverpool expires.
?? #WeAreParispic.twitter.com/qHd7Se42cV
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 10, 2021
Wijnaldum spent an illustrious half-a-decade at Liverpool after arriving from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016. One of the pillars of success that the Reds enjoyed in recent times, the Dutch international was a mainstay in midfield under Jurgen Klopp, amassing 237 appearances for the Merseyside outfit.
However, for about a year or so, it has been clear that Wijnaldum’s future at Anfield is non-existent, with the 30-year-old choosing not to sign a new contract. With his Liverpool deal set to expire on June 30, the Premier League heavyweights have been resigned to their fate for quite some time now and have been identifying potential replacements like Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Barella and others.
As for Wijnaldum’s future, the outgoing Liverpool midfielder was heavily linked with Barcelona for the longest time, with reports claiming that the Catalan giants had prevailed in the race to sign him. However, Paris Saint-Germain have swooped in at the eleventh hour, offering more than double the wages that Barcelona tabled to turn the player’s head.
The interest from PSG is interesting, considering they signed Danilo Pereira and Rafinha Alcantara last summer. However, neither has been entirely convincing, with Rafinha even being linked with a possible summer exit. With Kays Ruiz-Atil departing Parc des Princes, it is understandable why PSG have gone for an experienced midfielder like Wijnaldum, as they bid to regain the Ligue 1 title.
? BREAKING ?
PSG have signed Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer from Liverpool ?
Throwback to his Anfield goodbye ?
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 10, 2021
The move has now been officially announced by Les Parisiens, who have signed Wijnaldum on a three-year deal, which will begin when his contract with Liverpool expires at the end of this month. Upon completing the switch, the Dutch international appeared to be elated when commenting on the transfer.
“Signing for Paris Saint-Germain is a new challenge for me. I’m joining one of the best squads in Europe and I want to bring all my desire and commitment to this ambitious project. Paris Saint-Germain have proved how good they are in recent years and I am convinced that together, with our supporters, we can go even further and higher.”
With Wijnaldum’s Liverpool spell now nearly completed officially, a new phase beckons him. And it will be interesting to see if he can provide the same value to PSG as he did to Liverpool in the last five years.
