Wijnaldum snubs Barcelona after PSG hijacking

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 6 Jun 2021 15:40 BST
3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain have sensationally hijacked Barcelona’s move for Gini Wijnaldum, with the Liverpool star now set to move to Ligue 1 instead.

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Wijnaldum had already long agreed personal terms for a free transfer to Camp Nou with only official confirmation of the move required.

However, in the last few days, PSG dived in with a substantially superior financial offer for Wijnaldum.

According to RMC in France, Barcelona have refused to up their offer and so Wijnaldum has decided to sign for PSG instead on a three-year deal.

Wijnaldum's Liverpool farewell

#OnThisDay in 2019 🙌🏾🏆 What a night 🙏🏾 #UCL pic.twitter.com/kEp4wR424N
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) June 1, 2021

The Dutch midfielder offered a tearful goodbye to Liverpool after his final game for the club a fortnight ago.

He was substituted to a standing ovation with just 12 minutes remaining of the win over Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Wijnaldum was also given a guard of honour by his Liverpool teammates and the club’s staff and presented with a special gift.

He confirmed after that game that he was leaving on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this month.

“The people in Liverpool have shown me love during the five years,” he told Sky Sports.

“I will miss them. I hoped to have played many more years for the club but unfortunately things went differently.

“I have to start a new adventure. I didn’t sign somewhere else.”

Barcelona move hijcaked

It had seemed certain, though, that Wijnaldum was going to join his compatriot Ronald Koeman at Barcelona.

The financially-hit Blaugrana have already made a string of Bosman moves this summer, including Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero from Manchester City.

PSG are also having to tighten their belts as an aftereffect of the Coronavirus pandemic and see Wijnaldum as a cheaper but high quality alternative to more expensive midfield targets.

Wijnaldum made 237 appearances during his five years at Liverpool, playing a key role in the 2019 Champions League win and 2020 Premier League title success.