Liverpool’s loss is Barcelona’s gain: Gini Wijnaldum has reportedly reached a definitive decision on his future
Last Updated: January 17, 2021 2:06 pm
Reds stint
Dutch international Wijnaldum has been on the books of Liverpool since the summer of 2016.
And, despite his arrival from Premier League rivals Newcastle having initially gone somewhat under the radar, the 30-year-old has gone on to establish himself as an absolutely integral member of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield over the years since.
Wijnaldum has started in no less than 27 league games in each of his 4 full seasons at Anfield, including all but three of the Reds’ fixtures en route to English top-flight glory in 2019/20.
The Feyenoord youth product’s brace in Liverpool’s stunning Champions League semi-final comeback versus Barcelona in 2019, meanwhile, saw Wijnaldum etch his name indellibly into club folklore.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Barca bound
As such, the widespread recent speculation surrounding Wijnaldum’s future on Merseyside has come as something of a surprise.
This comes with the all-action midfielder’s contract at Anfield due to expire in the summer, and new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman known to have been keen on the services of his fellow countryman during the summer:
Gini Wijnaldum remains Ronald Koeman’s first choice target for Barcelona but a deal with Liverpool is “complicated”. [@FabrizioRomano]
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) September 14, 2020
Subsequent reports late last year, meanwhile, went as far as to suggest that Liverpool were essentially ‘resigned’ to the fact that Wijnaldum would indeed be moving on in 2021.
And, as outlined above, if the latest update to have surfaced in the media on Saturday afternoon is to be believed, then such assumptions appear to have been spot on.
As per a report from the Mirror, citing Dutch sources close to the situation, Wijnaldum has indeed come to the definitive decision to depart Anfield.
The lure of lining out for Barcelona is said to be too much for the midfielder to turn down, with it assured that ‘his switch to Catalonia will happen at the end of the season’.
‘Barcelona has always been a big draw for him,’ it is added by the aforementioned Dutch sources.
‘It’s a similar situation to when Gareth Bale left Tottenham for Real Madrid in that it is his ultimate destination.’
Gini Wijnaldum reportedly decides to leave Liverpool for Barcelona.
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 16, 2021
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This article was edited by Josh Barker.
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