PSG refuse to let Liverpool legend Gini Wijnaldum leave on free transfer

Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum's hopes of getting his career back on track have suffered a fresh blow as PSG have refused to terminate his contract by mutual consent. 

According to L'Equipe, the 32-year-old wants to leave in search of regular game time, but the Parisian giants are unwilling to let him go free and are demanding €6m (£5m) for his transfer. Wijnaldum is out of Luis Enrique's plan and has been training with the club's so-called 'bomb squad' – a group of 15 players who have been deemed surplus to requirements.

Kylian Mbappe was also part of PSG's 'undesirables' until last week, but the French international has returned to the first-team squad and even scored the club's equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Toulouse yesterday. Wijnaldum, on the other hand, is unlikely to play for PSG again but is no closer to leaving the club as things stand.

After a rather subpar first season at the club in 2021-22, the Dutch international was loaned out to Serie A side Roma to get regular game time under his belt. However, he fractured his tibia shortly after joining the Italian club and spent five months on the sidelines, missing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the process. Wijnaldum made 23 appearances for Roma last season but didn't do enough to earn a permanent move to the club as he returned to the Parc des Princes this summer.

The former Liverpool midfielder made 237 appearances during his five-year stay at Anfield and is widely regarded as one of the most reliable players of the Jurgen Klopp era, having won four major honours including the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

However, since moving to the French capital, his career has stalled, having made just 38 appearances for the club since joining in 2020.

With PSG demanding €6m for a 32-year-old who has just under a year left on his current deal, it remains to be seen if Wijnaldum secures a move before the transfer window slams shut.