Gini Wijnaldum to follow Ronald Koeman to Barcelona?
Gini Wijnaldum could leave Liverpool for Barcelona.
The Dutchman has been an excellent servant since his arrival in 2016 from Newcastle United. But with one year left on his contract, many are starting to question his long-term future at Liverpool.
Having recently turned 30, it is thought that Jurgen Klopp is exploring the idea of moving Gini on after his contract expires – much akin to the departures of Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can.
Wijnaldum has scored 19 goals in 186 Liverpool games, with his last goal to date coming in the Reds’ 5-3 win over Chelsea.
Some fans’ have questioned his contribution after the emerging stat that he hasn’t assisted in two years, but his importance is far mo
re existential. Klopp summed it up himself, when he said:
"“It is just so obvious Gini’s importance.It is both directions, small spaces, big spaces, it is hard challenges, fine football, pretty much all of that. Is he the perfect midfielder? From the skillset 100 per cent. He has all the things you need.”"
Liverpool don’t need to get rid of Wijnaldum despite his contract running out – as alluded to previously, they’ve done it before.
And with the arrival of Thiago Alcantara’s arrival on the cards, some fans may be welcome to it.
Some believe it is down to the appointment of a new Barcelona manager who could bring Wijnaldum to Catalonia if he was appointed.
Lionel Messi’s men were embarrassed 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, which led to the inevitable dismissal of Quique Setien.
Names such as Thierry Henry and Messi himself were touted, but the emerging name according to Fabrizio Romano is former Barcelona centre-back Ronald Koeman.
Koeman, the current Netherlands manager, has been in charge of Gini Wijnaldum as he excels in a more attacking role for Oranje.
If he was available for a cheaper price this summer or on a pre-contract in January, there would be logic in Wijnaldum moving to Camp Nou under Koeman.
Maybe not for Barcelona in a rebuild, but for Koeman himself to have a player within the dressing room he knows and respects.
Next. Don’t believe Bayern pushing their Thiago agenda. dark
It would be one last pay-day for Wijnaldum before he undoubtedly returns to the Netherlands and his boyhood Feyenoord – but he’s got a few years left at Anfield for sure.