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One of the standout players from Liverpool's 2019 UEFA Champions League triumph and 2020 English Premier League championship could be making his way to Major League Soccer, as Georginio Wijnaldum has emerged as a strong transfer target for Real Salt Lake.
Although no agreement has been reached, The Athletic's Tom Bogert reports that the club and player are "in talks" regarding a potential move, which would make the Dutch midfielder one of the most high-profile signings in the history of the Sandy, Utah-based club.
Now 35 years old and half a decade removed from his time at Liverpool, Wijnaldum is currently a free agent following the conclusion of his nearly three-year stint with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq this summer, leaving him open to opportunities outside the Middle East.
While his time with the Reds remains his most celebrated chapter—tallying 22 goals and 16 assists across 237 appearances as the club scaled new heights under manager Jurgen Klopp—he has accumulated considerable success elsewhere too. He launched his professional career with Dutch powerhouses Feyenoord and PSV before a spell at Newcastle United eventually led him to Liverpool.
After departing Anfield, he went on to represent Paris Saint-Germain and AS Roma before venturing outside Europe in the summer of 2023, joining the wave of European talent that flocked to Saudi Arabia around that period.
On the international stage, he has netted 28 goals across 96 appearances for the Netherlands. He played a pivotal role in the Dutch side's run to third place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, netting his sole tournament goal in a commanding 3–0 victory over the host nation in the third-place playoff after a semifinal defeat to Argentina. He was left out of the 2026 World Cup squad.
Should Wijnaldum sign with Real Salt Lake, he would join a growing list of marquee arrivals in MLS, including fellow ex-European stars and future Western Conference rivals: Thomas Müller of the Vancouver Whitecaps; Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris of LAFC; and Marco Reus and Sergi Roberto of the L.A. Galaxy, among others.
Why Real Salt Lake?
Real Salt Lake has had an eventful transfer window. Wijnaldum's arrival would help offset some of the departures the club has experienced, bolstering their chances of competing in an increasingly well-funded and fiercely contested Western Conference.
Earlier this summer, RSL sold promising 19-year-old winger and USMNT prospect Zavier Gozo to Premier League club Crystal Palace for close to $15 million, while interest also persists in USMNT midfielder Diego Luna, despite a dip in his performances this season and his omission from the U.S. men's national team's World Cup roster.
Currently sitting eighth in the conference with 14 matches remaining and just a single point above the MLS Cup playoff threshold, manager Pablo Mastroeni's side is seeking additional attacking reinforcements to secure a postseason berth. Wijnaldum could provide that spark, either operating slightly out of position on the flank or dropping into midfield alongside Luna, with the aim of supporting Sergi Solans and former Lens forward Morgan Guilavogui in attack.
RSL would likely need to restructure their salary and roster setup to accommodate Wijnaldum, as center back Justen Glad and Guilavogui currently occupy the two available Designated Player slots within the club's U22 Initiative MLS roster framework.