Former Newcastle United star sold for £25m set for deadline day move after’ verbal agreement’

Former Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is set to become the latest player to move to the Saudi Pro League.

Following five successful years at Liverpool where Wijnaldum lifted the Premier League and Champions League titles, the Dutchman moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 as a free agent but his career has since stalled somewhat.

The 32-year-old registered just 22 starts during a frustrating debut season in Paris and was subsequently loaned to Roma for the 2022-23 campaign. However, the midfielder suffered bad luck when he fractured his tibia just one game in.

It forced Wijnaldum to miss out on the Qatar World Cup. He eventually made an injury return in February before making 23 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Wijnaldum has been deemed surplus to requirements since returning to PSG for pre-season and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the former Feyenoord star is set to join former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson at Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard.

Romano tweeted: Gini Wijnaldum to Al Ettifaq, here we go! Verbal agreement in place on three year deal, PSG to receive fee in excess of €9m package #AlEttifaq Contracts being checked then deal completed. Wijnaldum has accepted. Steven Gerrard called him as revealed two days ago.”

Wijnaldum joined Newcastle in a £14.5m deal from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015 and was one of the few highlights of a dismal campaign at St James Park.

The attacking midfielder scored 11 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions but was unable to prevent the Magpies from suffering relegation into the Championship.

Addressing his time on Tyneside following a move to Liverpool, Wijnaldum said: “I have great memories. I enjoyed the club, I enjoyed the city, I enjoyed the people, I enjoyed my teammates. That’s also the reason that I felt free there and I could play the way I was playing and I scored goals.

“I only have good memories; the only bad thing is that we were relegated, but besides that I had a great time there and my family had a great time there. Once in a while, I go back to Newcastle because I love the city.”

Wijnaldum didn’t stick around on Tyneside and transferred to Liverpool in a deal worth £25m.