Liverpool have made a crucial Georginio Wijnaldum breakthrough.
The news comes just days after fans were left disappointed by the collapse of Timo Werner’s move from RB Leipzig and can help to explain why Liverpool refused to pay the money.
Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, who writes for the Guardian and has been seen on Sky Sports’ payroll, tweeted that there is some good news on the horizon.
According to Romano, talks between Liverpool and Georginio Wijnaldum over his contract extension have resumed and are going well.
"He said: “Talks between Liverpool and Gini Wijnaldum agent to extend his contract are going so well…”"
That’s welcome news considering the Dutch international is the last in the main cohort of important first team players to extend their Anfield stays.
He’s coming up to the point in his deal where Wijnaldum can talk to foreign clubs, and a new deal is important.
Jurgen Klopp loves Gini and he’s a vital part of the way the engine room operates. Should this new contract go through, it’s likely to see a pay increase and that could help to show why Liverpool didn’t want to splash out on Werner.
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Any new elite player coming in would want elite wages, which would then drive up the wage ceiling at the club and leave others wanting similar terms.
It could spark a race to the top.
This way, the Liverpool wage bill will go up incrementally and Klopp will be able to keep squad harmony in check.
If Wijnaldum’s new contract is announced, it will do a little to appease fans who are keen to see some transfer action this window. After several quiet ones, there’ve been calls to spend in order to maintain dominance but FSG don’t want to work that way.
Klopp has already spoken about the need to keep costs to a minimum after the financial impacts of COVID-19, tweeted the Athletic’s James Pearce, and the club’s actions are fully aligned with the manager’s words.
"The manager said: “Discussing with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buying a player for £50m/£60m, we have to explain.”"
But sorting out a new deal for Wijnaldum should still be a priority and it’s good to see a breakthrough has been made on that front.