Football news - Georginio Wijnaldum set to quit Liverpool for Barcelona - reports
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Updated 16/01/2021 at 15:52 GMT
Liverpool look set to lose 30-year-old Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to Spanish club Barcelona. The Catalans want to reunite Wijnaldum with their manager Ronald Koeman, who coached midfielder for the Netherlands national side. The player has his heart set on the move to continue the tradition of Dutch players at Barca.
Georgino Wijnaldum
Image credit: Getty Images
Georginio Wijnaldum will reject any new contract offer from Liverpool in order to join Barcelona, according to reports.
The 30-year-old Dutch international was expected to switch to the Catalan club in the summer but the impact of the coronavirus on club finances meant that Barcelona could not complete a deal for the player.
Liverpool would like to keep the player but Wijnaldum has his heart set on a move to Spain, according to the Mirror.
There is a long history of Dutch players at Barca, such as legend Johan Cruyff and Frank Rijkaard. Former Barcelona central defender and ex-manager of the Netherlands national side, Ronald Koeman, is now installed at the Nou Camp.
Dutch sources said: “Barcelona has always been a big draw for him.
"It's a similar situation to when Gareth Bale left Tottenham for Real Madrid in that it is his ultimate destination.”
Liverpool have prepared for Wijnaldum’s exit by bringing in Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich this summer.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would not be drawn on the matter when speaking earlier in the season.
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"I have nothing to say about this," he said.
"I've said how much I like the person and the player. So, there's really nothing else to say about it.
"That's not good or bad news, that's just how it is. If there's a decision you'll know about it.
"Apart from that, there's nothing else to say."
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