Report: Wijnaldum snubs Barcelona for PSG's higher wage offer

Free-agent midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is joining Paris Saint-Germain after breaking a prior agreement with Barcelona, The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports.

PSG reportedly convinced the Dutchman to complete a sensational U-turn in negotiations by offering him more than double the salary Barcelona tabled.

Barcelona refused to raise their bid, according to Romano.

The Blaugrana had reached a verbal agreement with Wijnaldum on a three-year contract, but the French side pushed to hijack the deal Thursday. PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly phoned Wijnaldum several times before finally persuading the 30-year-old to join his squad.

The unexpected turnaround leaves Barcelona without a player they had hoped to sign for some time. Manager Ronald Koeman - who developed a rapport with Wijnaldum during his time as coach of the Netherlands - previously said the club's financial situation prevented a move last summer.

Wijnaldum will officially become a free agent when his contract with Liverpool expires on June 30. He's spent five seasons with the Reds, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following year.