Ronald Koeman has admitted that he wanted to take Gini Wijnaldum to Barcelona in the summer, even hinting at a potential January move.
Wijnaldum was continually linked with a move to the Nou Camp during the transfer window, with no new contract arriving at Liverpool.
A deal never materialised, however, and the 29-year-old stayed put for the time being.
Speaking to NOS, via Marca, Koeman said his compatriot Wijnaldum was a target for Barca, and could continue to be:
He [Wijnaldum] was on my list. We hope to have a second Dutchman in the squad.
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I think this will be Wijnaldum’s final season at Liverpool, certainly judging by the lack of a new deal. He is about to turn 30 and no longer represents the long-term, so it will be a move that makes sense for all parties.
Should the opportunity come for Liverpool to sell Wijnaldum in January, potentially receiving a fee for him, they must ignore it, keeping him until next summer.
The midfielder remains too important to allow to leave midway through a campaign, not only because of his quality but also due to his availability.
He has already played every minute in the Premier League this season and featured in all but one league game in 2019/20, highlighting his expert level of fitness.
While the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been injury-plagued midfielders at various times, Wijnaldum has been a constant in the starting lineup.
