Liverpool have an issue to resolve regarding midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum‘s future at the club.
The Dutchman is a matter of weeks away from entering the final six months of his current contract at Anfield – at which point he will be free to negotiate with European clubs.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has remained relaxed over the future of one of his most important players, but no new deal has been finalised and Barcelona have been circling.
Today, a report in Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) has fuelled the fire by claiming the 30-year-old is the Catalan giants ‘favourite’ target.
The report goes further by stating the adaptable midfield man ‘totally fits’ into the system at the La Liga club, as well as being the player Koeman ‘likes the most’.
Athough Liverpool would have been reluctant to sell in January, the La Liga side are believed to be targeting other priorities for now, with a new centre-back and centre forward top of their wanted list.
Klopp has been indebted to his most reliable performer so far this season. Wijnaldum has stood firm amidst an injury crisis all around him and has played the second-most minutes for the reigning champions this season.
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The Barcelona interest comes as no surprise to most, given the Nou Camp club are currently managed by Wijnladum’s Dutch compatriot and recent international manager Ronald Koeman.
Many may have been forgiven for believing it was the beginning of the end at Anfield for Wijnaldum when Thiago Alcantara arrived during the summer. Instead, perhaps owing slightly to the Spaniard’s knee injury, the Dutchman has proven himself to be more integral than ever as those around him fall by the wayside.
Seemingly under no stress regarding his future, he was delighted to fire home his first goal of the season against Wolves last weekend and, on the face of things, there seems to be no panic over a new deal at Liverpool.
