Summer 2021. After leaving Anfield at the end of his contract, Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was expected to move to Barcelona, but in a sudden turn of events, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, but was unable to secure regular playing time.
In his second season, he was left out of the squad and moved to AS Roma on loan. After a slow start due to injury, he only managed two goals and one assist in 23 games throughout the year, and this season he returned to PSG, where he is under contract until 2024, but is not counted as an asset at all.
The 32-year-old midfielder had been of interest to Al Ettifaq, where Steven Gerrard has taken over and Jordan Henderson has also joined. Now he has decided to move to Saudi Arabia on a three-year contract, according to Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist.
Gini Wijnaldum to Al Ettifaq, here we go! Verbal agreement in place on three year deal, PSG to receive fee in excess of €9m package 🚨🔴🇸🇦 #AlEttifaq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2023
Contracts being checked then deal completed. Wijnaldum has accepted.
Steven Gerrard called him as revealed two days ago. pic.twitter.com/0RslJb6qzr
Two days ago, Gerrard called him directly and tried to persuade him to join the team. It was also a reunion with the current England midfielder, who together ran the midfield when they were at Liverpool.