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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Hannah Pinnock

'So important' - Gini Wijnaldum sent transfer message after Liverpool and PSG 'mistake' claim

Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum 'made a mistake' choosing to sign for Paris Saint-Germain, according to Dutch hero Rafael van der Vaart.

Wijnaldum called time on a five-year spell at Anfield last summer and made the move to France on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract. He reportedly also had offers from the likes of Barcelona.

The 31-year-old has had little opportunity to make an impact in Paris, however, and he's been restricted to the bench at times this season.

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His struggles at club level have also affected his place in the Netherlands national side as he was an unused substitute in their win over Denmark on Saturday. He also started from the bench in their draw against Germany on Tuesday night.

Van der Vaart compared Wijnaldum's experience to Ajax’s Steven Berghuis, who has drastically risen up the pecking order with his country after his move from Feyenoord.

“Wijnaldum made a mistake in choosing PSG,” said former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid star Van der Vaart," who turned down Liverpool as a teenager. "Meanwhile, Berghuis made an excellent choice choosing to move from Feyenoord to Ajax.

“Now Georginio will understand why making the right choice is so important.”

Wijnaldum has already admitted this season he is 'not entirely happy' with the situation at his new club. He told Dutch news outlet NOS back in October: "I can't say I'm completely happy, because the situation is not what I wanted.

"But that's football and I'll have to learn to deal with that. I'm a fighter. I have to stay positive and work hard to turn it around."

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