Wijnaldum saga epilogue - PSG were more decisive and determined than Barcelona

Many already 'saw' Georginio Wijnaldum playing at Camp Nou with his compatriot Frenkie De Jong in the midfield behind Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, in front of Eric Garcia, under another of his countrymen - Ronald Koeman.

However, the situation shifted and Gini re-routed to the City of Lights, to play alongside Neymar & Co.

Wijnaldum was a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract and had long been linked with a move to Barcelona to join up with his former international boss - but the 30-year-old says he chose to sign for Paris Saint-Germain because the Catalans took too long in their negotiations.

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PSG are said to have agreed to double the wages Barca were offering so eventually Wijnaldum signed a three-year deal with the Saints.

While addressing the journalists in his pre-match press conference, midfielder spoke about the transfer and about the season that just passed.

'I made another choice. It was very difficult. I was negotiating with Barcelona for four weeks, and we never reached a final decision'.

'Paris Saint-Germain were a bit better in making a decision. They were quicker. And the project that they have at PSG it really appealed to me.

'It was a difficult choice I have to be honest. I thought I would be moving to Barcelona because they were the only team who were really interested in me, but we did not reach an agreement together.

'PSG were much clearer in making that decision.'

After a successful five years which saw Liverpool win the Champions League and their first Premier League title, Wijnaldum left Anfield.

Additionally, he won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with Jurgen Klopp's squad.

'The only regret I probably will have is that I couldn't leave with a title or a prize, that would be really, really good for me, for the fans and for everyone." Wijnaldum said while speaking after Liverpool's final game of the 2020-2021 season.

'But everyone knows the circumstances we had during the season. It was really difficult – really difficult.

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'But if you look how we changed it around, a few weeks ago I don't think a lot of people would have thought that we could finish third and qualify for the Champions League.

'That's a good one. I'm happy we could bring Liverpool to the Champions League and that I basically put them in a good spot when I leave.'

The midfielder is currently preparing for Holland's opening Euro 2020 game against Ukraine on Sunday evening.

EURO 2020 - Group stage

Sunday, June 13th

Group D

16.00: England - Croatia

Group C

19.00: Austria - North Macedonia

22.00: Netherlands - Ukraine