Ronald Koeman is reportedly confident that Barcelona will be able to sign Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool on a free in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Ronald Koeman is hopeful that Barcelona will be able to secure the services of Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer. The Dutch midfielder is expected to leave Liverpool when his contract runs out in the summer, with the Catalan giants his preferred destination.
Wijnaldum has established himself as a pivotal figure for Liverpool since joining from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016. Over the past half-a-decade or so, the 30-year-old has been one of the major reasons why the Reds have dominated the Premier League in recent years while also having played a key role in their UEFA Champions League triumph two years ago.
Since joining Liverpool, the Dutch international has racked up 211 appearances for the Merseyside club, chipping in with 21 goals and 16 assists. And, his performances have caught the eye of a former manager, with Ronald Koeman keen to be reunited with him at Barcelona.
In fact, Barcelona had been eager to sign Wijnaldum in the summer but he ended up staying put at Liverpool. The interest, though, has not died down one bit, with the Reds in a precarious position over his contract situation. The experienced midfielder is currently in the final year of his deal with the Premier League champions and is reluctant to sign a new contract.
The Dutchman has been urged by former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch to remain at Anfield by penning a renewal and snubbing the interest from Barcelona. However, with each passing day, it is starting to look like he could be set to make his way to Camp Nou.
The report reflects that as well, with Koeman confident of snapping up his former charge at the Netherlands national side. Mundo Deportivo has, in fact, asserted that the Barcelona manager is hopeful of signing the Liverpool midfielder, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay on free transfers in the summer, but also adds that the Blaugrana might have to accelerate the pursuit of Garcia.
Recent reports have suggested that the Manchester City contract rebel has agreed personal terms with Barcelona and could be set to complete his move this month. As for Wijnaldum, Koeman is prepared to wait till the summer to sign him from Liverpool, as he looks set to depart Anfield as a free agent.
