Liverpool officially confirmed the signing of Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum for a £25 million fee, with fans largely optimistic about the new acquisition.
The Reds have announced a flurry of signings of late, with their latest acquisition — Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum — adding to the signatures of Ragnar Klavan and Alex Manninger from FC Augsburg in just the past week. The 25-year-old Dutchman became Klopp’s sixth acquisition of the summer as Liverpool prepare for the new season set to kick-start in under a month.
? Our new midfielder at Melwood…#WelcomeWijnaldum pic.twitter.com/oBQTqeLRw0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2016
Delighted to have signed for @LFC . Can’t wait to see you on Anfield #YNWA ? pic.twitter.com/2yGHsuJarQ
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) July 22, 2016
It is understood Liverpool will pay an initial £23m fee with a further £2m in conditional add-ons. Wijnaldum joined Newcastle for £14.5m from Dutch side PSV in 2015, playing in all 38 of the club’s Premier League games last season and scoring 11 goals. Wijnaldum will join the Reds on their pre-season tour of America, where they will play Chelsea (27 July), AC Milan (30 July) and Roma (1 August).
Fans have had their reservations regarding Liverpool’s pursuit of the midfielder. However, the reaction to his arrival has been largely positive with many excited about what he could bring to the table for the Merseysiders. Some supporters also believe that despite his lack of consistency last season with Newcastle, he is bound to improve with a star-studded team around him at Liverpool and the guidance of a manager like Klopp.
Lallana, Coutinho, Ings, Sturrigde, Firmino, Origi, Mane, Ojo, Wijnaldum, Milner, Kent, Shamal George. Not bad that frontliners. #LFC
— ade fahlevy (@ade_lfc) July 23, 2016
Wijnaldum will link up with #LFC squad in California on Saturday. Likely to train for first time with Reds on Sunday.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 22, 2016
Wijnaldum turned down interest from Tottenham in favour of a move to Anfield. #lfc (James Pearce)
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) July 22, 2016
What could Georginio Wijnaldum bring to Liverpool? @thisisanfield takes a look #LFC https://t.co/aNRD5u07a9 pic.twitter.com/WPMN6Gww54
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 22, 2016
Making sense of Liverpool’s move for Wijnaldum – article by @Martinlaurence7 – https://t.co/z2sR3HVUlO #LFC pic.twitter.com/6CDJXY3Bl4
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 21, 2016
Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Mane, Ojo, Ings, Origi Sturridge are very impressive attacking options but we still need a new LB imo
— LFC News (@LFCTransferNRS) July 21, 2016
I am quite excited about #Wijnaldum joining. #lfc
— LFCZA (@LFCZA) July 21, 2016
Hey #LFC fans, don’t whine about paying £25m for Wijnaldum when we get paid £15m for Ibe.
— Aakriti Mehrotra (@Aakriti1) July 20, 2016
Well done @LFC, you cause me a damn lot of stress and frustration but you’ve done well on the Wijnaldum deal boys!
— Indigo (@IndigoLFC) July 22, 2016
For Me Wijnaldum was outstanding last season,I’m sure he will do a fantastic job,I have no doubt about it #WelcomeWijnaldum #LFC
— Thabiso (@RedHipHopMONK1) July 23, 2016
Hopefully Wijnaldum’s arrival boosts Hendo’s game. He has no choice. Same with Can. Love the competition and depth in the team now. #LFC
— #8 (@KingBasu1) July 23, 2016
By the way, Is Southampton aware that Liverpool is cheating on them with Newcastle?#Wijnaldum pic.twitter.com/Sd4KdamIrQ
— Kiran Ragh (@krwarrier) July 23, 2016
Jurgen Klopp had his say on the Dutchman’s arrival whilst taking time off from training with the Liverpool squad in the USA.
? Jürgen Klopp reveals the conversation he had with @GWijnaldum ahead of his move to #LFC: https://t.co/GeGWVWh4co pic.twitter.com/1HBH24j8a7
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2016
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed to @LFC .com that Wijnaldum will train with Liverpool tomorrow in the US.
— Dave O’Connell (@DaveOCKOP) July 23, 2016
Meanwhile, the footballing fraternity also had words to say on Wijnaldum’s Liverpool switch.
@GWijnaldum good luck boy! They will appreciate you #LFC #YNWA
— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) July 21, 2016
Kuyt on Wijnaldum: “Klopp sees him as a nice player. He is not only a good player, but also a player with the lungs of a horse.” #lfc
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) July 22, 2016
Dirk Kuyt on Georginio Wijnaldum: “Best compliment was his name in my time at Liverpool buzzed inside the club.” pic.twitter.com/c3tQ3pAOA4
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 22, 2016
The player himself had messages to share on Instagram to both his new and former clubs after the move was made official.