Former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock has delivered a stark warning to the Reds hierarchy over the ongoing saga surrounding Gini Wijnaldum‘s contract situation.
The Dutchman’s future remains up in the air as he approaches the final six months of his current deal, although all parties seemingly remain relaxed over what is to come.
Barcelona were circulating in the summer under the stewardship of the midfielder’s former national team coach Ronald Koeman and the Catalan giants are widely expected to retain their interest.
However, Warnock – a Red of 67 appearances between 2004 and 2007 – told Stadium Astro that he believes his former club would be making an expensive mistake allowing the 30-year-old to leave and sounded a clear warning to Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards.
He said: “One hundred percent I would (keep him), to go into the market and buy someone like Gini Wijnaldum you’re looking at £50m-£60m. Do Liverpool have the finances to do that after the pandemic? I don’t think they do. They’ve obviously bought Thiago into the squad as well.”
Wijnldum has been one of the few ever-presents so far this season in Jurgen Klopp’s team, his continued fitness an invaluable asset which has come to the fore as the squad bears the brunt of a host of injury absentees.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
We make Warnock bang-on with this one. Signing a player to replace what the versatile Dutch midfielder brings to the Premier League champions would likely set the club back at least £50m in today’s market – even with Edwards’ expertise.
Whether the Reds are given a choice as to find a replacement or to keep Wijnaldum is another matter altogether. Unfortunately, the ongoing delay in signing his new deal seems to increasingly point in the direction of a summer departure.
