Aston Villa news: Georginio Wijnaldum tipped to complete summer move after £21m update – former Villa boss
Alex McLeish has suggested Georginio Wijnaldum would jump at the chance to join Aston Villa this summer.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the lure of working with Steven Gerrard could lure the 31-year-old back to the Premier League.
As reported by Spanish publication Sport on Friday (4 March), Aston Villa have been told it will cost £21million to sign Wijnaldum after launching an enquiry over a deal.
The midfielder reportedly wants out of PSG this summer, only a year after joining from Liverpool.
McLeish suggested Wijnaldum, who has 43 Premier League goals and assists from his Liverpool and Newcastle spells, would “walk back” to the Premier League to play under Gerrard at Villa.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’s a very solid player. He knows his way around the whole pitch and his experience is brilliant.
“You know when you’re bringing these players into your club, it’s not a case of: ‘I hope he does alright.’ These guys will do well.
“They know their way about every football pitch in the world, not just in the Premier League. They’re playing for international teams, they have that kind of experience.
“Wijnaldum, I’m sure he would walk back to play under Gerrard and come back to the Premier League. It would be another really shrewd signing.
“His legs are fine, he’s young enough for another three or four years. For me, these are solid signings. They maintain that you stay in the Premier League.
“You’re not taking the gamble on a guy we’ve never heard of. These are very, very solid, all-round international players.”
Wijnaldum has played 29 times for PSG this season, with 18 starts under his belt.
His contract runs until the summer of 2024.
In other news, Aston Villa are set for a “mega-money” windfall this summer after source reveal.