"It might be worth doing it" - Steve McManaman on Aston Villa's interest in former Liverpool star
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is currently being linked with a move to Aston Villa after failing to settle in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. Steve McManaman believes it is a deal that could be worth doing for the Villans.
According to the Englishman, Wijnaldum's experience, decent injury history and constitution during his time at Anfield suggest he would be a good addition to Steven Gerrard's side.
The former Liverpool winger was quoted as saying:
"I think if you could do a deal to bring Wijnaldum in, on a free contract or whatever, it might be worth doing it. He’s highly experienced and he’s a great professional to have around. He got very rarely injured at Liverpool, his constitution was excellent, and I thought he was great there."
Aston Villa lining up £21m transfer for Gini Wijnaldum as Steven Gerrard chases former Liverpool midfielder
thesun.co.uk/sport/17861825…
Steve McManaman also stated that signing the Dutchman could go a long way in helping the young prospects coming up at the club. He continued:
“It’s also a matter of age and if he’d get in the way of some of the younger players. Last year, Aston Villa won the Youth Cup final so they have got younger players coming through."
“But if the deal is good, I’ve got no problem with that. He will help players for the next three or four years, no problem at all. He’s a really really good pro and I like him.”
Despite backing Aston Villa to seal the transfer, Steve McManaman admits agreeing on a fee with PSG could be a stumbling block in the negotiations. The Englishman said:
“Whether he [Wijnaldum] will go to Villa is another thing. He went to Paris on a free, they gave him a lot of money, so I’d presume they’d want a fee for him. How much they’d want for him and how much Villa would want for him would be a big stumbling point. He’s 31 now and I don’t think it’d be much of a statement signing."
Wijnaldum has made 29 appearances for PSG this season, scoring three goals in the process.
Georginio Wijnaldum admits he is "not completely happy" at Paris Saint-Germain following his summer move from Liverpool.
How have Aston Villa fared this Premier League season?
Aston Villa occupy 11th position in the Premier League table with 33 points. So far this season, they have played 26 games in the English top-flight, recording 10 victories, three draws and 13 defeats. They have picked up 19 points from 14 home games and 15 points from 13 away games.
It is worth noting that Steven Gerrard's men bagged convincing victories in their last two matches in the competition, beating Brighton 2-0 and Southampton 4-0. January signing Philippe Coutinho has been in good form and his performances have given an impetus to Villa's overall campaign.
It remains to be seen if they can make it a run of three consecutive victories when they face Leeds United tomorrow (March 10).