Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum has opened up.
The midfielder was the subject of much speculation during the summer as Barcelona registered their interest in the player.
With a contract that expires in 10 months, Gini Wijnaldum can talk to other clubs from January and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he departed on a free transfer at the end of the season.
For a while it appeared as if Wijnaldum would be the key to unlocking the Thiago puzzle, but Jurgen Klopp’s desire to progress through the season without a recognized fourth-choice central defender has unblocked some of the midfield congestion that was a concern.
The Netherlands international has started all four Premier League games this season and appears to be as important to Klopp as ever, despite his impending contractual implosion.
Despite those heavy links to Barcelona, Gini stayed at Liverpool and Sky Sports have reported that he’s provided a cryptic update about that transfer saga.
"“I don’t think it was that serious (the Barca link), otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened.“There was nothing precise. The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool.“My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change. You never know in football. We will see what happens.”"
It appears unlikely that sporting director Michael Edwards will be able to seal a new contract for the Dutchman, and Wijnaldum’s comments do nothing to allay those fears.
His contract might be valid for another 10 months but he can sign with a different club in January and there will be a queue of teams who’ll be able to provide him with the terms he wants.
The Barcelona link is interesting because Ronald Koeman knows Wijnaldum well; he was his coach for the Netherlands and is the new Barca boss.
A free transfer would help their finances and they could maybe force through a move in the new year for a nominal fee.
There’s plenty more life in this transfer rumour and it’s unlikely that we’ll watch Wijnaldum at Anfield next season. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends next, but he won’t be short on options.