Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly seeking a fee of £21 million from Aston Villa for Georginio Wijnaldum.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, Premier League side Aston Villa will need to fork out £21 million to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Dutch international was one of Jurgen Klopp’s trusted players at Liverpool, playing a key role in the Reds’ UEFA Champions League and Premier League triumphs in recent seasons. He left Anfield when his contract expired last summer, moving to the Parc des Princes to join PSG on a Bosman move.
However, the transfer to the French capital has proven to be a poor decision. The 31-year-old midfielder has struggled to break into Mauricio Pochettino’s first team and looks a shadow of the player he once was on Merseyside.
Wijnaldum is discontent with his time in France and is open to returning to the Premier League. He has been unhappy at PSG for some time now and had openly expressed dissatisfaction at his rather limited role in the past. Little appears to have changed since.
Aston Villa, now managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, showed ambition in the January transfer window and appear to be keen to build a long-term project at the club. Adding a veteran of Wijnaldum’s experience will certainly give them a boost in the midfield. The Dutchman’s athleticism coupled with his ability to keep the ball should make him the perfect foil for John McGinn in the middle of the park.
The Dutchman’s contract at PSG runs until 2024, meaning that the French giants hold the aces when it comes to negotiations. While Wijnaldum could be allowed to leave, Aston Villa will need to pay £21 million to secure his services.
Wijnaldum turns 32 this year and has visibly regressed. He failed to meet his regular standards last season as well and appears to be a player on the wane. While Villa could certainly do with a player of the Dutchman’s skill set, PSG’s asking price seems too high for a player who has only a few years left in him at the top level.
As things stand, Spanish champions Atletico Madrid appear to be in the driving seat to land Wijnaldum.
