PSG Continues Exodus of Players to Saudi Arabia: Wijnaldum Joins Al-Ettifaq
Paris, France – September 03, 2023
In a continued trend of high-profile transfers, French football champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have bid farewell to another star player. On Saturday, they officially sold Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to the Saudi Arabia Pro League outfit, Al-Ettifaq. While PSG did not disclose the financial particulars of the deal, reports suggest it amounted to a substantial €10 million ($10.8 million).
Wijnaldum, 32, who had joined PSG from Liverpool just two years prior, experienced a dip in form during his time in France. This downturn led to his loan move to Serie A side Roma last season. However, his transfer to Al-Ettifaq marks his entry into the thriving football scene of Saudi Arabia. Notably, he will be under the guidance of former Liverpool midfield maestro, Steven Gerrard, who now serves as the coach for Al-Ettifaq.
This move follows PSG’s recent sale of Brazilian forward Neymar to Al-Hilal, reinforcing the exodus of European talents flocking to the cash-rich Saudi Pro League. PSG’s decisions are sending ripples through the footballing world, prompting discussions about the implications of such transfers on the global football landscape.