Arsenal receive blow as Wijnaldum suggests he is content at PSG
Arsenal might have received a further blow in the transfer market this week as reported target Georginio Wijnaldum has suggested his situation at Paris Saint-Germain is improving.
The Gunners were desperate to sign Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in the January transfer window, but the player never expressed a desire to move to the Emirates, and seems poised to join Juventus instead.
After winning the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, Wijnaldum left Anfield for a new challenge, and turned down a switch to Barcelona to sign with PSG.
Things have not worked out for the Dutch midfielder so far as he has been in and out of the team, starting just 11 out of a possible 22 Ligue 1 fixtures.
In the current transfer window, he has been linked with Arsenal for a potential loan deal, as reported by Sky Sports.
Wijnaldum's recent comments highlight the troubles he had initially after the move, but that he intends to keep developing at PSG and is even learning French.
The desire to make an impact at PSG, and the fact he is learning the language in France, would suggest he won't be going anywhere this month.
What did Wijnaldum say?
"My integration went well," Wijnaldum said on his Twitch channel.
"I was coming into a new club and a new league. I am learning from my team-mates and the coaching staff every day, and they have all helped me to fit in.
"We are getting to know each other a bit more every day. I am also learning French, which is important for me in terms of fitting in."
These comments are certainly more positive than his words from October of last year when he expressed frustration at his start with PSG.
"I can’t say I’m completely happy," he admitted.
"The situation is not what I wanted. I have played a lot in recent years, was always fit and also did very well.
"This is something different and that takes getting used to. I was really looking forward to the new step and then this happens. It is very difficult.
"That’s football and I’ll have to learn to deal with that. I’m a fighter. I have to stay positive and work hard to turn it around."