Liverpool: Gini Wijnaldum closes on a move to Barcelona as talks for Thiago continue
Jurgen Klopp could finally attain his much-desired midfield tweak ahead of next season.
Georginio Wijnaldum closes in on a move to Barcelona as the midfielder stalled on contract extension talks with Liverpool. The 29-year-old has entered the final year of his current deal and is wanted by Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, having worked together for the Dutch national side.
Wijnaldum arrived at Anfield from Newcastle United in 2016. After four seasons under Jurgen Klopp, the Dutchman has elevated Liverpool back among Europe’s elite, helping the Merseysiders to Champions League and Premier League victories in the past two campaigns respectively.
Into the last 12 months of his Liverpool contract, Georginio Wijnaldum has been reluctant to pen an extension with the Reds as he waits for a better offer from elsewhere. Given the stage of the former Feyenoord midfielder’s career, Wijnaldum’s next deal would probably be his last at a top-level football club.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman wants Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum to play a pivotal role in his rebuilding project at the Nou Camp.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 2, 2020
Barcelona, in the midst of an extensive rebuild post-Bayern massacre, have identified Georginio Wijnaldum as an ideal player to fit the midfield engine alongside new-signing Miralem Pjanic. Going by the suggestions, the Liverpool man is keen to ply his trade for the club against whom he orchestrated one of the most remarkable Champions League comebacks at Anfield last year.
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"Jürgen Klopp’s side offered Wijnaldum a two-year deal, and are unlikely to push hard for his continuity. The English champions ‘don’t want to retain’ him without a renewal.Barca acted quickly to reach an agreement with the Dutchman and they are now waiting for Liverpool to ‘agree to an affordable transfer’ in the coming days. The negotiations with the Merseyside club are presented as being on the right track. (Sport Witness)"
To lure Georginio Wijnaldum to the Camp Nou, Barcelona chiefs are willing to pay €15million in upfront fees, touching the €20million mark via performance-related bonuses.
Should Wijnaldum seal a move to the Catalan giants, Liverpool would attain their objective of raising finances for a deal to sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
Must Read. Man United enter the race to sign Thiago from Bayern. light
As things stand, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are undergoing constant dialogues to reach an agreement over the transfer fees, believed to be around €30m. The Bavaria giants expect an offer this week after the player expressed his desire to seek a new challenge this summer.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich bosses are willing to spark a bidding war for their star asset by inviting Manchester United to place a bid for the Spain international. The Red Devils maintain interest but are unwilling to make an approach at the moment.