Barcelona handed transfer blow as PSG hijack deal for Dutch star

A last-ditch effort from Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly cost FC Barcelona the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum.

Georginio Wijnaldum has reportedly snubbed an offer from Barcelona in favor of a more lucrative deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfielder will be available as a free agent on July 1 once his Liverpool contract has expired. Given his close ties with Blaugrana manager and compatriot Ronald Koeman, Camp Nou was his expected next destination.

Wijnaldum’s representatives even met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta twice last week to negotiate a reported three-year deal.

Reports emerged recently, however, claiming PSG sought to hijack the transfer. The Parisians have tabled a much more lucrative offer, and manager Mauricio Pochettino has called the player repeatedly over the last three days.

PSG offered Wijnaldum more than doubled salary and Gini accepted during the night.

Pochettino called him many times in the last 56 hours.

PSG now working on next steps – medicals in 🇳🇱 too.

PSG want Gini to sign the contract as soon as possible after his Barça-deal turnaround. https://t.co/HOs6YcGsPA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2021

And according to Fabrizio Romano, it has the done the trick. Wijnaldum has agreed to join PSG on a free transfer. The 30-year-old will earn double the amount he would’ve earned at Barcelona as part of a three-year contract until 2024 in France.

PSG will now proceed to the next steps of the transfer, which includes a medical, as a cash-stricken Barcelona won’t offer another cent.

Despite this setback, Wijnaldum’s Netherlands teammate Memphis Depay is still set to join Barcelona on a free transfer from Lyon. He will be the club’s third signing after Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia.