KEY POINTS

  • Gini Wijnaldum is contracted with PSG until 2024
  • He is close to joining Roma on a season-long loan
  • Leicester, West Ham and Wolves are also interested in Wijnaldum

Former Liverpool FC midfielder Gini Wijnaldum has reportedly rejected a move to Everton ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Wijnaldum, who moved from Liverpool to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last summer, has a contract with the Ligue 1 side until 2024. With just three goals and as many assists in 38 competitive games, Wijnaldum did not have a great maiden season with PSG.

The Dutch midfielder was one of the key figures at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, especially in their 2019 Champions League success. Wijnaldum will hope to recreate the form as he is close to joining AS Roma on loan in the ongoing summer window.

Roma are close to securing Wijnaldum on around a $10 million season-long loan from PSG. Even Everton, the other Merseyside club, was interested in securing Wijnaldum, but the former Anfield star picked Jose Mourinho's Roma instead, reported Italian outlet Calciomercato.

While Mourinho played a part in this deal as Wijnaldum was keen to work with the legendary Portuguese boss, the good relationship between Roma president Dan Friedkin and PSG chief Nasser Al Khelaifi was also vital, the report claimed.

Georginio Wijnaldum (right)blasts over Liverpool's best chance in a 0-0 Champions League quarter-final, second leg draw against Real Madrid
Georginio Wijnaldum (right) joined Liverpool in the summer of 2016. AFP / Paul ELLIS

PSG are also willing to pay at least half of Wijnaldum' wages to get his deal done with Roma, according to journalist GuillameMP, who has a credible record in European soccer.

Meanwhile, PSG are close to signing 24-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches from Lille and this signing is expected to make way for Wijnaldum to leave the side on loan, according to 90Min. Roma reportedly have also asked Manchester United about the availability of defender Eric Bailly. The Serie A club is keen to sign the Ivorian defender on loan.

If the Roma deal fails, Wijnaldum will certainly want to return to the Premier League, with the likes of Leicester City, Wolves and West Ham interested in the Dutchman, apart from Everton. The 31-year-old Netherlands national has been playing first-team soccer since the 2006-07 season, having scored 119 goals and 59 assists in over 600 matches.

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