The challenge Gini Wijnaldum faces at PSG amid Aston Villa transfer links

Aston Villa have been mentioned as a potential destination in the summer if Georginio Wijnaldum returns to the Premier League.

The Dutch midfielder spent a single season at Newcastle United before joining Liverpool in 2016, where he would win the Premier League and the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp.

Wijnaldum left the Reds on a free transfer in the summer, though, after failing to agree a new contract and he signed for French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

There, he joined a decorated list of players who were boosting PSG’s stature across the continent; Sergio Ramos came in from Real Madrid, and Lionel Messi from Barcelona, to join the already star-studded squad which boasts Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Such is the depth of that squad, though, that Wijnaldum’s role under Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t been quite so clear cut; PSG have Marco Verratti, Julian Draxler, Leandro Paredes, Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera vying for midfield berths too.

Villa, meanwhile, are thinking big. They’ve already attracted Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne as Steven Gerrard plans to raise the profile of the squad he inherited from Dean Smith at the end of last year.

The Villa boss is expected to be backed again by supportive owners NSWE, too, and reports have emerged linking them with Wijnaldum, who could return to England after a single year in France.

His former club Newcastle, who themselves hope to be a Premier League side again next year amid their ongoing relegation battle, will have money to spend and could be contenders. West Ham, who are targeting Champions League football, could also be in the frame.

Villa have been identified, too. Wijnaldum has already spoken of his discontent at his lack of regular game time since