Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has revealed that Reds scouts have been tracking Georginio Wijnaldum since his early days playing for Feyenoord Rotterdam.
Kuyt, who now plays for the Dutch club after leaving the Reds in 2012 for Fenerbahce in Turkey, told the the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (translated by the Liverpool Echo):
“(It is) a wonderful transfer for Gini. The best compliment for him was that his name in my time at Liverpool buzzed inside the club. He was watched by the scouts already in his youth days at Feyenoord as a very great talent. When I played for Liverpool, I heard them frequently say that he would be a wonderful asset one day. He eventually ended up at PSV and Newcastle, before moving to Anfield. He is now at a top club in England and he’ll be at home.”
Wijnaldum is expected to sign for the Reds for £25million from Newcastle United in the coming days. He had his medical today and personal terms have been agreed. The signing of the 25 year old is an intriguing one as many Reds fans are asking where Jurgen Klopp will play the midfielder.
Although the Dutch international has played in deeper roles in midfield, at Newcastle he has been played in an attacking role in midfield and as a support striker. If Klopp wants to play Wijnaldum in a similar position at Liverpool, he will face competition from the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
