Georginio Wijnaldum is pushing for a move to Barcelona, rejecting a new contract from Liverpool in the process.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, Georginio Wijnaldum’s story at Liverpool FC could soon be coming to an end, as the midfielder has rejected a contract extension offer. He wants to leave Anfield after five years and is pushing for a move to FC Barcelona, where he can reunite with former Netherlands national team head coach Ronald Koeman.
Wijnaldum’s current contract at Liverpool expires at the end of the campaign. The ex-Newcastle United star wants to see out that contract at the very least, although it’s very much possible that he could be roped in by Barcelona in the upcoming January transfer window, for a cut-price deal.
The Spanish giants are already braced for a busy winter, especially as they scour the market for a new centre-back who can add a lease of life to a backline overly dependent on Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet.
Barcelona have identified Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia as their priority target in January but could welcome the arrival of someone like Wijnaldum in their ranks.
The Liverpool midfielder has a vast amount of experience at the highest level of football, which could be useful following the departures of players like Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez in the summer. But more importantly, the Dutchman shares an excellent relationship with Koeman as well as his national teammate Frenkie de Jong.
Although Barcelona is already home to two ageing midfielders in Miralem Pjanic and Sergio Busquets, Wijnaldum brings a different kind of quality in the middle of the park. His aggression, work-ethic and physicality, in particular, could be valuable as the Blaugrana look to adopt a more robust nature to their game.
As for Liverpool, Wijnaldum has been a loyal servant to the club over the past four and a half years, helping them win the UEFA Champions League as well as the Premier League title. However, they are unlikely to be fazed by his departure, particularly due to the summer arrival of Thiago Alcantara.
Although the former Bayern Munich midfielder has struggled with injuries so far this campaign, he could soon establish himself as a vital figure at the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s setup while Naby Keita has improved over the past 12 months.
If anything, the Dutchman’s potential departure could pave the way for youngsters like Curtis Jones to gain a more prominent role in the side, thus making it a beneficial move for all parties involved.
