Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been transfer listed by Paris Saint-Germain after being left out of their pre-season squad tour to Japan and has been subsequently linked to Roma. The 31-year-old is not in new coach Christophe Galtier’s plans for the 2022/23 season. Having left Liverpool for PSG on a free transfer last summer, he appears on the brink of his second move in two years.
The latest reports from capital outlet Corriere dello Sport indicate that the Parisians offered Wijnaldum to José Mourinho’s Roma last week when the Paulo Dybala saga was still bubbling. It is understood that the Giallorossi are equally interested in the deal going through.
However, sporting director Tiago Pinto first needs to cut down his large 32-man squad to make space and free up wages – most importantly, realigning the club to the parameters of Financial Fair Play.
Wijnaldum has given his ‘YES’ to joining Roma ?
Roma and PSG are moving forward for Genie. They can only sign him on loan with part of his salary paid by PSG, but the relationship between the ownerships is excellent.
? via CorSport pic.twitter.com/1U3ny0SglK
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) July 21, 2022
Having just signed for PSG, a permanent deal is out of the picture for Roma, which would prefer a loan transfer with an option or obligation to buy him for €15M. They would also like the French champions to pay half his salary, considering that the midfielder earns a whopping €9M net per season. He has a contract in Paris until 2024 but would like a change of environment after a disappointing first season.
Both PSG and Roma enjoy excellent relations, thanks to owners Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Dan Friedkin. The midfielder himself reportedly approves the move, but the deal can only be materialized under certain circumstances.
Our Take on Roma Eyeing Wijnaldum
Despite signing Nemanja Matic on a Bosman deal, this addition would give Mourinho an extra edge in the role. The Special One would be able to count on the aforementioned two as a double pivot, allowing him more defensive stability behind what is touted to be one of Serie A’s most exciting forward lines – with Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Tammy Abraham.