Why Georginio Wijnaldum rejected FC Barcelona for PSG?

As speculated earlier, PSG has successfully hijacked Georginio Wijnaldum’s move to FC Barcelona. Why did the Dutchman choose Parc des Princes over Camp Nou?

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It felt a bit like karma bite back, as not too long ago, the Blaugrana hijacked Malcom‘s move at the last minute. A similar event has happened, but this time against Barcelona. Ever since Wijnaldum became a free agent this summer, Barça was in a verbal agreement with the Dutch international.

The medicals were planned during the next week, but at this precise window, PSG intervened to present a much lucrative deal for Gini. It did not take much time for him to decide over his future, and he chooses PSG over Barça. Many might want an explanation of how this all culminate?

The simple explanation, as explained above, is the personal agreement with the player. Speaking strictly in terms of annual wages and bonuses, PSG cranked up a superior deal compared to Barça’s. However, salary is not the only factor that transpired the decision. Gini saw a better chance of bagging some silverware in the next few years than Barça.

Another factor that played its part is Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine manager has been an admirer of Gini’s value, much like Koeman. Pochettino was speculated to leave Paris earlier this summer but later decided against it. During his Spurs days, Poch has held meetings with Gini for considering a move to North London which never transpired, but in the end, they finally reunite in Paris.

Could be a silver lining for Barcelona

The Barcelonistes should not be too disheartened by this move as if Gini would have joined, he would have had restricted minutes for some other youngster at Camp Nou. We have seen the manager Ronald Koeman preferring the addition of Dutch players. Certainly, such an addition would have further hurt the chances of players like Puig, Moriba, or Trincao.

Barcelona’s newer recruitments from the free agency come at a cost of adding a few players who are not at their peak. Wijnaldum would have been one more in that category. It’s a signing that the club did not need at all from the beginning, and we should be relieved that the move did not materialize. The transitional period for the club needs stars emerging out of the La Masia graduates, not from the free agency.

What are your thoughts on this?