The ongoing speculation regarding the imminent future of Georginio Wijnaldum continues to attract media attention amid the latest reports that Liverpool are ‘braced’ for an incoming bid from Ronald Koeman and Barcelona, claims Andy Hunter of The Guardian.
Wijnaldum, 29, has entered the final year of his Liverpool contract and his former international manager Koeman wants to capitalise on the contractual impasse between the Dutchman and his current club side.
Despite the uncertainty regarding whether a new deal can be struck, Liverpool remain clear in their approach that they will not sell Wijnaldum, who was the club’s most utilised midfielder last season.
ZEIST, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 1: Georginio Wijnaldum of Holland during the Training MenTraining Holland at the KNVB Campus on September 1, 2020 in Zeist Netherlands (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Hunter does claim, however, that Liverpool’s position on Wijnaldum – who currently earns £75,000-a-week according to Spotrac – could be altered if a ‘sizeable offer’ were to arrive for the player who can begin discussions with other teams from January of next year.
As it stands, no bid has been received although Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf which reportedly have close affiliations with Koeman claim that the former Everton manager wants to build the team around Wijnaldum and his international teammate Frankie De Jong.
Hunter also adds that an accelerated interest from Barcelona could speed up Klopp’s attempt to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who like Wijnaldum, has also entered into the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena.
Liverpool are still working to get Thiago Alcantara. Bayern are now convinced they’re gonna receive a new bid from #LFC soon. Klopp pushing again for Thiago. Manchester United only had contacts with his agent at the moment – nothing advanced between clubs. 🔴 #Liverpool #Thiago
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2020
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently provided an update on the Thiago conundrum and claimed that Klopp himself is pushing for a deal and a new bid from the Premier League champions is to be expected soon.
Wijnaldum’s position could prove key in Liverpool’s reported pursuit of the former Barcelona maestro as reputable journalists such as James Pearce, Melissa Reddy and now Hunter all claim that the club will only sign Thiago if another midfielder were to go the other way.
In effect, Wijnaldum’s exit would pave the way for Thiago’s arrival at Anfield.
Michael Edwards did have a clause in the contract with Philippe Coutinho, who also departed Liverpool for the Camp Nou which under the terms meant that if Barcelona wanted to sign any Reds player in the future they would have to pay a £100m premium.
Coutinho joined Barcelona in 2018 for a gargantuan £142m [BBC] with the five-time European Cup winners also raiding the Reds of former players such as Luis Suarez and Javier Mascerano.
However, sadly that clause expired this summer which increases the likleyhood that the Catalonia giants will look to accelerate their interest in Wijnaldum.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool with David Luiz of Arsenal action during the FA Community Shield final at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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