Georginio Wijnaldum says he chose to sign for Paris Saint-Germain over Barcelona because the Catalans took too long in their negotations.
Wijnaldum was a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract and had long been linked with a move to the Nou Camp to join up with his former international boss Ronald Koeman.
But the 30-year-old instead signed a three-year deal with PSG, who are said to have agreed to double the wages Barca were offering.
The midfielder, who is preparing for Holland’s opening Euro 2020 game against Ukraine on Sunday evening, said it had been a difficult decision.
‘I made another choice. It was very difficult. I was negotiating with Barcelona for four weeks, and we never reached a final decision,’ Wijnaldum said in his pre-match press conference.
‘Paris Saint-Germain were a bit better in making a decision. They were quicker. And the project that they have at PSG it really appealed to me.
‘It was a difficult choice I have to be honest. I thought I would be moving to Barcelona because they were the only team who were really interested in me, but we did not reach an agreement together.
‘PSG were much clearer in making that decision.’
Wijnaldum left Liverpool after a successful five years which saw the club win the Champions League and their first Premier League title.
The Dutchman also won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Speaking after Liverpool’s final game of the 2020-2021 season, Wijnaldum said: ‘The only regret I probably will have is that I couldn’t leave with a title or a prize, that would be really, really good for me, for the fans and for everyone.
‘But everyone knows the circumstances we had during the season. It was really difficult – really difficult.
‘But if you look how we changed it around, a few weeks ago I don’t think a lot of people would have thought that we could finish third and qualify for the Champions League.
‘That’s a good one. I’m happy we could bring Liverpool to the Champions League and that I basically put them in a good spot when I leave.’
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