Why now? Five destinations for PSV’s Georginio Wijnaldum

Following PSV captain and Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum’s claims he is ready to move abroad, Coral come up with five possible destinations for the talented attacking midfielder, who recently spoke out in the Dutch media

“Next summer would be a great time to take the next step, PSV also know that I am keen to play abroad. I am the age for it,” Wijnaldum said in an interview with the Dutch press.

“Although I like it here, I do not want to become too old to go abroad, because I want to play there for a few years. The more time I take in going, the shorter my career abroad becomes.”

Arsenal
Long linked with the Gunners, 25/1 with Coral to win the Premier League, this rumour just won’t go away. Arsene Wenger, however, has a plethora of attacking options available to him in Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, plus whoever else he has set his sights on in January. Wijnaldum is another midfield conundrum that Wenger seems to love; he can play in deep or advanced roles, though the Frenchman may need to offload one of his other options first before recruiting him.

Manchester United
Louis van Gaal selected the midfielder in his Netherlands World Cup squad, so is familiar with the 23-year-old and his abilities. More than anything, United, 6/1 to win the FA Cup, need to find the right combination in the middle of the park, and whether Wijnaldum fits the bill remains to be seen.

Southampton
It all depends on where the club are in January. If they are still in the top four, or even challenging for a Europa League place, then a move to the Saints isn’t all that ludicrous. Manager Ronald Koeman, for one, is the same nationality, and will be more than aware of the player’s talents. Should Saints register interest, and Wijnaldum is keen, he would be a significant asset.

Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp will be keen to rid Dortmund of the fact that they are a ‘selling club’, and bring in some serious talent in the transfer window. Wijnaldum would fit in at the German outfit, though it would certainly be intriguing who Klopp utilises him with, when Marco Reus, Shinji Kagawa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang compete for three advanced roles behind a striker.

Roma
A move to the Italian capital wouldn’t be too far-fetched. Compatriot and former PSV teammate Kevin Strootman made a switch to Rome last season, contributing five goals and six assists in 25 Serie A appearances before sustaining a serious injury. Manager Rudi Garcia has seriously raised the club’s profile since being appointed, with Roma, 9/4 to win the title, just one point behind league leaders Juventus.