Liverpool’s deal for Gini Wijnaldum was seemingly all but done earlier in the week – so why was it only announced on Friday?
The Reds confirmed the signing of the Dutch international midfielder from Newcastle United for £25m, complete with a hastily-deleted joke.
So, what was the reason for the delay? Negotiations over agent fees, like those reportedly encountered by Manchester United over the Paul Pogba deal?
How about differences of opinion over the fee, or over the terms of Wijnaldum’s contract?
All of these are possible reasons, and we’ll likely never know for certain, but others have an altogether different explanation.
Some believe the deal was wrapped up days ago, but Liverpool held back the announcement so it would coincide with the birthday of one of the most famous Dutchmen to grace the Anfield turf.
And no, we don’t mean Sander Westerveld.
https://twitter.com/f1rmino/status/756540253683511296
I want to believe that Liverpool waited until today to sign Georgino Wijnaldum because today is Dirk Kuyt’s birthday
— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) July 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/MobidEE/status/756575568162877440
Kuyt, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Friday, scored more than 70 goals for Liverpool in six years at the club.
Initially signed as a striker, his energy and commitment saw him deployed further back as his career went on.
Wijnaldum began his professional career at Feyenoord, the club at which Kuyt made his name and to which he returned last season after a nine-year absence.
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