Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum could reportedly return to the Premier League at the end of the season, with his contract in Saudi Arabia coming to an end this summer
11:32, 17 May 2026
Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.
Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.(Image: Aurelien Meunier - PSG via Getty Images)
Gini Wijnaldum, the former Liverpool and Newcastle star, could return to the Premier League this summer, with the 35-year-old being tipped for a surprise move back to England.
According to Football Insider, newly promoted Coventry City is considering a surprise transfer swoop as it prepares to return to the top flight. The East Midlands side, managed by Frank Lampard, is said to be weighing up a one-year deal for the veteran.
After leaving Liverpool in 2021, Wijnaldum moved to PSG and then AS Roma. He then joined Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson at Al-Ettifaq, but his contract with the Saudi Pro League side is set to expire.
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Wijnaldum is not going to this summer's World Cup and has not represented the Netherlands since Euro 2024. Ronald Koeman confirmed a few months ago that he was no longer in his plans.
"Two months ago, I had him over at my house," Koeman said. "That was actually late, because it was about the European Championship two years ago.
"He came on as a substitute three times there, and he felt that was not enough. He wasn't happy with that, nor with his own role.
Gini Wijnaldum of Al Ettifaq and Fabinho of Al Ittihad during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abduallah Al Faisal Stadium
Gini Wijnaldum of Al Ettifaq and Fabinho of Al Ittihad during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abduallah Al Faisal Stadium(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
"For me, (Wijnaldum's international career) was a closed chapter at that time, but then I read (Wijnaldum's comments about wanting to break back in).
"After that, I called him and made it clear to him that I am choosing others. I haven't selected him since the 2024 European Championship. Since then, I have preferred others, and I am very satisfied with that."
Wijnaldum made his international debut in 2011 and has played a total of 94 times for his country. In that time, he scored 28 goals and laid on nine assists.
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The former Liverpool midfielder has featured at three major tournaments, playing seven times for the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup. He then played at the European Championships in 2021 and Euro 2024.
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At club level, Wijnaldum has been in Saudi Arabia for three years.
Wijnaldum spent five years at Anfield, playing key roles in the club's Champions League win in 2019 as well as the Premier League title triumph a year later.
Liverpool.com says: Wijnaldum at his peak is the kind of midfielder that the Reds could do with at the moment. He was a battler, as well as having plenty of quality in possession, and that kind of attrition has often been lacking of late.