Barcelona targeting Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum – midfielder ‘very high’ on Ronald Koeman’s transfer wishlist
New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has reportedly urged Georginio Wijnaldum not to sign a new contract at Liverpool.
The midfielder’s Anfield deal expires next summer and Koeman could take advantage of the stalling in negotiations between the player and club.
Could Koeman take advantage in the stalling in contract talks between Liverpool and Wijnaldum?
Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad reports that Wijnaldum is ‘very high’ on Koeman’s transfer wishlist.
Wijnaldum and Koeman have a good relationship, having worked together when the latter was manager of the Dutch national team.
The 29-year-old could be viewed as the ideal partner in midfield for Frenkie De Jong, who’s failed to stamp his authority at Barca since joining from Ajax last summer.
Wijnaldum was a key player for the Netherlands under Koeman
It was suggested that a breakthrough had been made regarding a new Wijnaldum deal but this has yet to materialise.
He joined the Reds in the summer of 2016 from Newcastle and has become a key player under Jurgen Klopp.
“My development since I came to Liverpool has been good,” Wijnaldum said in March “I have become more of an all-round player.
“I was used to playing in a very attacking role and only in attack. Since the World Cup (in 2014) with (then Netherlands boss Louis) van Gaal, I have had a more controlling role in midfield and that went well. After that, I didn’t play that role again, at PSV or Newcastle.
“When I spoke with Klopp, he saw me in a more defensive role, where I needed to be an all-rounder.
“It’s not always easy as I am used to attacking, but it has helped in my development. I am a more complete player now than I was when I arrived.”
Wijnaldum has won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool
Wijnaldum was Barca’s tormentor-in-chief when Liverpool faced them in the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals.
He scored twice as Liverpool incredibly beat Lionel Messi and co. 4-0 at Anfield to overturn a 3-0 deficit on their way to winning the competition for a sixth time.
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